Jean-Jacques
Annaud's Enemy at the Gates will open the Berlin Film Festival on February
7, 2001 in a world premiere screening. By selecting this film, shot exclusively
in Germany and for the most part at Babelsberg Studios, the Berlinale would
like to call attention to Germany as a centre for film and media production.
Festival Director Mortiz de Hadeln explained, "Although we know that everyone
is against war, we cannot ignore the gruesome events of the past. With this
film director Jean-Jacques Annaud has brilliantly shed light on a chapter of
German history. From the massive crowd scenes to the tiniest details he and
his team of German technicians successfully demonstrate that Germany and Europe
are in a position to effectively realize such major projects and thus challenge
the idea that Americans have a monopoly on such works." This international co-production
is largely financed by Germany. Jean-Jacques Annaud (The Name Of The Rose,
The Bear), who has won the César award several times, translates to the
screen the script by Alain Godard (The Name Of The Rose), a gripping
saga of the Stalingrad siege. During the legendary battle of Stalingrad in 1942
a Russian sniper fights for his life against a German sharpshooter. The film
stars Jude Law, Ed Harris, Joseph Fiennes and Rachel Weisz. In supporting roles
Bob Hoskins (Mona Lisa) portrays Nikita Khrushtchev and Matthias Habich (Beyond
Silence) plays General Paulus.