Beyond Hollywood
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- February 10, 2012
Hindered in the festival's ability to draw star power, Dieter Kosslick, the head of the Berlin International Film Festival, is instead focusing on presenting new discoveries, including German films and the best from abroad. The biggest star in town this week is Angelina Jolie, but Kosslick is also set on creating new ones. By Andreas Borcholte more...
From Dietrich to Tarantino
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- February 10, 2012
It's where Marlene Dietrich made her name, Fritz Lang created "Metropolis" and Quentin Tarantino and Roman Polanski sat in director's chairs. Studio Babelsberg, the world's first major film studio, turns 100 on Sunday. By Jess Smee more...
Big Budget at the Berlinale
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- February 09, 2012
Chinese director Zhang Yimou was long considered a critic of his country's regime. Lately, though, he has focused on sumptuous period pieces -- and Beijing hopes his new film, "Flowers of War," will establish the country as a cultural world power. By Martin Wolf more...
'I Hate Politics'
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- July 15, 2011
Iranian director Asghar Farhadi won the Golden Bear for Best Film at the 2011 Berlin International Film Festival for his drama "Nader and Simin, A Separation." Since then, the West has regarded the filmmaker as an authority on political conditions in Iran. But the new role could be dangerous for Farhadi. By Martin Wolf more...
Interview With 'Rent Boys' Director
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- February 24, 2011
Following its premiere at the recent Berlinale, "Rent Boys" will be released in Germany. The documentary about male prostitutes in Berlin reveals old structures of discrimination in Europe. Director Rosa von Praunheim spoke to SPIEGEL ONLINE about the importance of narrating the young men's stories without resorting to cliché. more...
Asghar Farhadi Wins Golden Bear
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- February 19, 2011
An Iranian film has won the top prize at the Berlin International Film Festival for the first time. The Golden Bear went to Asghar Farhadi's family drama "Nader and Simin: A Separation." more...
Austrian Nazi Comedy at the Berlinale
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- February 19, 2011
The Jewish hero dons an SS uniform to outwit the Nazis, get back a stolen drawing, save his mother's life and get the girl. The Austrian film "My Best Enemy" is a World War II thriller that also plays for laughs. SPIEGEL ONLINE spoke to director Wolfgang Murnberger about the risks of making a comedy about such a loaded subject. By Siobhán Dowling in Berlin more...
'Anger and Frustration on Both Sides'
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- February 18, 2011
The Israeli-made film "Lipstikka" had its world premiere in Berlin this week. Last year the movie caused a storm of debate in its homeland due to the fact that it allegedly compared the occupation of Palestinian territories to the Holocaust. In an interview, director Jonathan Sagall and cast members discuss the controversy and red lines in the arts in the Middle East. more...
Oil Giant Gets a Shelling
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- February 18, 2011
The documentary "The Pipe," shown during the Berlinale film festival, tells the story of residents in a remote Irish coastal community who took on the oil giant Shell, and their own government. SPIEGEL ONLINE spoke to the director about the residents' David and Goliath struggle. By Jill Petzinger more... [ Forum ]
A New Dimension in Film
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- February 17, 2011
This year's Berlin International Film Festival broke new ground by featuring 3D movies in its official program for the first time. But instead of effect-packed blockbusters, the movies on show are arthouse works from directors like Wim Wenders and Werner Herzog. Is 3D cinema going highbrow? By David Gordon Smith more... [ Forum ]
Inside the Atomic Industry
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- February 17, 2011
Volker Sattel spent years researching his documentary on nuclear power, 'Under Control,' which premiered at the Berlinale film festival this week. He gained unprecedented access to plants and employees, even filming over an open reactor. Sattel argues the debate in Germany has become overheated. more...
