With the world premiere of the star-studded action thriller "The International" by ace German director Tom Tykwer (of "Lola Runs" fame), the 59th Berlin International Film Festival opens this evening, Febsuary 5, in the presence of the director and the actors Clive Owen, Ulrich Thomsen and Armin Mueller-Stahl. Festival Director Dieter Kosslick will ring the curtain up in conjunction with Jury President, Scottish actress Tilda Swinton. The event will be telecast live hosted by popular TV presenter Katrin Bauerfeind.

Other celebrities expected to attend the event include: celebrated international cameraman, Michael Ballhaus, 60s star Senta Berger, actor Bruno Ganz, former punk star, Nina Hagen, notorious crossdressr and director Rosa von Praunheim, directors Jürgen Prochnow, Volker Schlöndorff, and Wim Wenders, among swarms of other prmonient locals including German politicos.such as former President of the Federal Republic Richard von Weizsäcker and the former German foreign minister Joschka Fischer.
With the customary emphasis on star power, among those expected to attend the fest during the week in conjunction with films they will be presenting are Michelle Pfeiffer, Clive Owen, Keanu Reeves, Kate Winslett, Renee Zellweiger, Demi Moore, and Italain sex goddess Monica Belluci.
One out-of-competition title that looks interesting is "The Pink Panther 2", if only for the cast which features Bollywood superstar Aishwarya Rai alongside of Cuban-Americam gallant Andia Garcia.
The early february weather in Berlin is surprisingly mild and it looks like a promising ten days coming up here at the 59th edition of this top echelon international festival.

Alex Deleon, Berlin