The "Berlin and Beyond Film Festival" opens at the Castro Theatre next week with a run of exciting screenings. (January 10th thru 16th)
The much-anticipated event features new films from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
Opening night kicks off with - "THE EDGE OF HEAVEN" - by noted film director, Faith Aitken. This engrossing movie won the best screenplay award at the Cannes Film Festival in 2007. The plot involves a complex tale of intersecting lives and is considered a must-see.
The opening night celebration is expected to be a sell-out, so snap up your tickets right away.
This year the "Berlin and Beyond" Festival will be paying tribute to respected actor Ulrich Muhe with a posthumous "Life Achievement Award".
Muhe starred in my fave foreign film - "THE LIVES OF OTHERS" - which I reviewed last fall; unfortunately, the remarkable actor passed into spirit in 2007 at the age of 53. (Post, "Lives of Others")
In signalling out Muhe, Berlin and Beyond officials noted,
"He was an actor who could portray mental processes and make them visible...his appearance could change along with his surroundings."
His daughter, Anna Maria Muhe, will accept the prestigious award at the screening of "LIVES" at the festival event at the Castro Theatre next week.
The annual MK Award competition for best first feature film also proves to be an exciting contest this year. All the entries are fresh and dynamic and expected to impact the sell-out houses.
The prize carries a $5,000 cash award and is given to a new filmmaker whose work is a first narrative, a project that exhibits a unique artistic sensibility or vision, and a film that deserves to be viewed by a wider audience.
The contenders at Berlin & Beyond this year are Hounds (Ann-Kristin Reyes), Karger (Elke Hauck), Nothing Else matters (Julia von Heinz), and Neandertal (Ingo Haeb).
There will be a spirited panel discussion on a curious subject - "What Makes You Laugh?" - on January 13th at Goethe Institute Auditorium. I expect to attend.
(530 Bush St)
Guest speakers include industry-insiders Russell Merritt (Teacher, National Cinema), Wendy Slick (Producer, Passion and Power), Ingo Rasper (Fashion Victims), Edgar Selge (Kir Royal), and Leslie Dixon (screenwriter, Mrs. Doubtfire).
A networking luncheon will follow.
Films causing a buzz in town prior to the opening next week are: "Grave Decisions" (closing night), "Fashion Victims", "Heavy Metal in the Country", "Late Bloomers", and "The Lives of Others".
Documentaries considered to be stand-outs include "The Unknown Soldier" and "Pool of Princesses".
There will be free screenings for students too - "TO THE LIMIT" (a breathtaking mountain adventure; Pepe Danquart) and "Paula's Secret" (a delightful film for youth) - in keeping with the festival principle of opening up the film experience to new generations of moviegoers.
Ticket purchases: ticketweb.com
Berlin & Beyond Info: www.berlinandbeyond.com
