Box-office-hit True Grit opens Berlin Film Festival
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The 61st Berlin Film Festival saddled up Thursday and hit the Festival Trail with the opening film "True Grit", a Western directed by the Coen Brothers.
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Josh Brolin (L), Hailee Steinfeld (M) and Jeff Bridges (R), the cast of True Gritnt atten the 61st Berlin International Film Festival on Feb. 10, 2011. [CFP] |
Currently enjoying the number one slot at the box office with 10 Oscar nominations, "True Grit" is sure to be a crowd pleaser.
Although the film is playing out of the competition, the international premiere of "True Grit"is greatly anticipated at this year's Festival, which will show around 400 films, from 58 countries and regions.
Sixteen films will officially compete for the coveted Golden and Silver Bears on Feb. 19.
"Joel and Ethan Coen stand for first-rate American independent cinema. With their Penchant for irony, and off-the-wall characters and stories they have repeatedly captivated audiences," commented Festival Director Dieter Kosslick in a statement. "True Grit is a wonderful way to kick off the Berlinale 2011."
True Grit tells the tale of head strong Mattie (Hailee Steinfeld), a 14-year old girl seeking the revenge of her father's death. Jeff Bridges plays the hard living U.S. Marshall that Mattie hires to capture the killer (Josh Brolin). Matt Damon plays the dashing Texas Ranger who joins in the manhunt.
In a press conference Thursday afternoon, both the filmmakers and their leading actors, except Matt Damon, spoke about their estrangement from the 1969 film.
The filmmaking duo told the press that their interest in making the film came from the 1968 novel by Charles Portis and had little to do with the 1969 classic western starring John Wayne.
Jeff Bridges, who acted in the Coen Brothers' "The Big Lebowski" when it came to Berlinale 13 years ago, said he felt that the movie had become such a success in the United States since "people are finally getting hip to how incredible the Coen Brothers are. They are the best filmmakers we have."
Beyond the buzz of opening night stars: William Hurt, Ralph Fiennes, Vanessa Redgrave, Kevin Spacey, Helena Bonham Carter and Collin Firth are all slated to make appearances.
American super star Madonna is expected to cause a stir at this year's European Film Market with her new project "W.E."
Another film making the news this year is Chinese director Chen Kaige's film "Sacrifice," which is included in the Berlin Special Gala screenings, but not in the main competition. The film plays on the tale that to save the only child of the Zhao Family, a doctor sacrifices his own son and later seeks revenge.
"Under the Hawthorn Tree," from former Golden Bear winner Zhang Yimou, will be shown as part of the Generation 14Plus section. The story, set during the Cultural Revolution in China, centers around a young couple whose relationship is deeply affected by their different economic backgrounds.
Other competition highlights include the American performance artist, Miranda July's film: "The Future," a story about the alienation of a couple told in an eccentric time-bending style.
Joshua Marston will screen his new film "The forgiveness of Blood." His film, "Maria Full of Grace" impressed audiences in 2004 at Berlinale.
Thirty five years after it's premiere, Martin Scorsese's classic "Taxi Driver" has a new 4K digital restoration and will play to new audiences at the Berlinale Special Programming. Paul Schrader, the screenwriter, will present this iconic masterpiece on February 17.
"After last year's 60th birthday, which was huge and also exhausting we tried to start again from the very beginning. To discover new trends in World Cinema," Kosslick told the press last week.
Starting from this year, the festival will have a full day of 3D screenings. Three films will show in 3D, including Wim Wender's dance film "Pina," which is a film created from the celebrated choreography of the late Pina Bausch.
Werner Herzog, Jury President 2010, will also show his 3D documentary film "Cave of Forgotten Dreams."
Kosslick, who celebrates his own 10-year Jubilee as Mr. Berlinale, told Xinhua that this year's Festival strove to find new directions, "If you are 61, I think you can start to try something new."
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