The Berlin Buzz Begins

Wednesday, February 6---------As thousands of film professionals and cinemaphiles descended onto the German capital today, the buzz for this year's Berlinale is just beginning. Films in competition and the adjoining sections are already creating some must-see momentum, one day before the Festival officially opens tomorrow evening (with Martin Scorsese and the Rolling Stones on tap, no less). Attention is also being paid to the jury, which this year is headed by filmmaker Constantin Costa-Gavras. The celebrated Greek-born director of such films as Z and MISSING, will head the Competition Jury. Costa-Gavras is known for his ouevre of political and social message films, has won virtually every major film prize, including the Festival de Cannes' Palme d'Or and a screenplay Oscar for MISSING. In 1990, he won the Golden Bear, the top prize at the Berlin Film Festival for MUSIC BOX, the story of a lawyer (played by Jessica Lange) who defends her father when he is charged with war crimes.

Another major event at this year's Berlinale will be the career retrospective of veteran Italian director Francesco Rosi, who will receive the Festival's Golden Bear for Lifetime Achievement. The series will include 13 Rosi films, including his 1962 breakthrough SALVATORE GUILIANO, which won the young director the Best Director Silver Bear at the Berlin Fim Festival. The following year, his lacerating expose of building scandals in his home city of Naples, HANDS OVER THE CITY (1963), won both the Cannes Film Festival Palme d'Or, the Berlin Film Festival Silver Bear and the Venice Film Festival Golden Lion (a rare trifecta that is almost unprecedented).

With its February position, the Festival and its accompanying European Film Market, have become major events, both for film buffs (and the Berliners are among the most enthusiastic) and film professionals. Second only to Cannes for its influence and prestige, the Festival has been able to maintain a unique integrity, building on its history as an event that was especially receptive to films of social conscience and the cinema of the "outsider". Expect exciting news from Herr Dieter Kosslick and company in the coming days.......so check out the Festival's website: www.berlinale.de

Sandy Mandelberger, Berlin FF Dailies Editor