What to expect this year at the Berlinale
As the 68th Berlin International Film Festival kicks off on Thursday, here are some of the program's highlights in pictures.
The opening film: 'Isle of Dogs'
He's a Berlinale regular: US director Wes Anderson has already presented three of his films in the competition of Germany's largest film festival. His latest work, "Isle of Dogs," will be the first animated film to open the festival. A pack of outcast dogs star in this socially critical stop-motion animated movie.
The star directors
The world's major film festivals all compete for the big names from the US in their line-up. Along with Wes Anderson's opening film, the 2018 Berlin International Film Festival features Gus van Sant's "Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot" (photo) and Steven Soderbergh's "Unsane" (out of competition).
The Germans in the competition
Germany contributed to 10 co-productions in the competition. Works by renowned German directors Christian Petzold and Philip Gröning are also joining the race for the Golden Bear. Petzold has adapted a book by Anna Seghers ("Transit"), whereas Gröning's film "My Brother's Name is Robert and He is an Idiot" (picture) features the difficult relationship between siblings.
Extraordinary stories from all over the world
Festivals also draw crowds of visitors by presenting unusual films from all parts of the world. This year, not only the US, Germany and other European film nations have joined the race for the Golden Bear. Works from Latin America have also triggered a lot of interest, as well as a comedy from Iran titled "Pig" (picture), by Mani Haghighi.
The Jury: Tom Tykwer and the others...
This year, the international jury deciding on the winners of the Silver and Golden Bears is headed by German director Tom Tykwer. He is supported by Belgian-French actress Cecile de France, US producer Adele Romanski and Japanese composer Ryuichi Sakamoto, among others.
The current issues: #MeToo
The Berlinale has always been seen as the most political one among the world's major festivals. As Germany's largest film festival, it can even influence politics. The festival's head, Dieter Kosslick, has already announced that the #MeToo debate will play a big role. Films dealing with the refugee crisis, already strongly present last year, are prominent this year again.
Stars on the red carpet
German actress Anna Brüggemann's call for emancipation in red-carpet dress codes has created additional anticipation on what stars will be wearing on opening night. Will actresses such as Isabelle Huppert (pictured here at the 2017 Oscars) and Emily Watson make their appearance all in black?
The Forum section
Traditionally, the Forum section presents works from all over the world featuring social or political commitment by directors that are not commonly known in Germany. Among them this year is director Nawapol Thamrongrattanarit from Thailand presenting his fifth movie, a drama on death called "Die Tomorrow."
The Panorama section
The big program section Panorama has a lot to offer. For example, the poetic work "Obscuro Barroco" by Greek director Evangelia Kranioti, which portrays the icon of Brazilian queer subculture, Luana Muniz (1961-2017).
The Retrospective section
The Berlinale's Retrospective section offers visitors an opportunity to travel to faraway worlds. This year's program of historical films presents works representative of the golden era of German film during the Weimar Republic, among them "Opium" (1919), a movie by Robert Reinert that was set in 19th century China.
Restored German classics
Next to numerous new films and retrospective shows, seven very special works celebrate their premiere at the Berlinale, namely restored versions of film classics, including Wim Wenders acclaimed masterpiece, "Wings of Desire."
Berlinale Talents
The Berlinale Talents has always been a meeting ground for young filmmakers. This year, some 250 such talents from 81 countries have been invited, among them directors, but also cameramen and cutters. According to the festival's management, "most of the talented filmmakers are in the fifth to 10th year of their career and have already gained some expertise."
Native - A Journey into Indigenous Cinema
The young Berlinale section Native focuses on works by indigenous peoples. In 2018, the section is dominated by films from island states in the Pacific, among them the documentary "MA'OHI NUI, at the heart of the ocean, my country," which examines the disastrous consequences of French nuclear tests carried out until 1996 in French Polynesia.
The Culinary Cinema section
The section Culinary Cinema focuses this year on the relationship between food and politics. "In both culture and politics, difficult decisions need to be taken, somehow comparable to the preparation of food that can also be quite difficult," said festival director Dieter Kosslick. Among the 10 films is "Lorello e Brunello" by Jacopo Quadri, on the problems of small-scale farmers in Tuscany.