The Berlinale-weekend anounced some promising events. Friday night opened with the outdoor screening of long-lost “Metropolis“. Saturday began with the take-off of the eighth Berlinale Talent Campus, followed by the world-premiere of “Shutter Island“, and ending with an afterparty at the hottest club in town.
Berlin was a frozen winter wonderland on friday night, but I had an open-air screening of “Metropolis“ at the Brandenburg Gate on my schedule. I wasn’t expecting to be part of a large audience, but to my surprise hundreds of film-fans joined me. Some clever ones brought folding chairs from home, others got comfortable on the snowy ground with tea or booze to keep them warm.
The screening was introduced with a number of various short clips. One of these clips was of actress Tilda Swinton, wishing the Berlinale a happy sixtieth birthday in her own special way. She decided to congratulate the filmfest sixty (!!!) times: “Happy, happy, happy, happy, happy, …“ I think you get the picture. I found it quite amusing, but I was relieved when she gave up. Finally, the film we were all waiting for began. “Metropolis“ is an epic silent film that hit german cinemas in 1927. Over the years, some parts of the film were lost and only recently someone rediscovered the final missing piece in Buenos Aires. This renaissance of “Metropolis“ marks a spectacular date in the history of cinema and film. I enjoyed the film and the amazing soundtrack.
On my way home, the train was crammed. I guess this is the effect the Berlinale has on the city- everyone wants to go out on the town.
On Saturday, my afternoon began with the Opening Ceremony of the Berlinale Talent-Campus. The organizer of the Berlinale, Dieter Kosslick, held an entertaining speech and I had the chance to see five innovative films of young directors, which I will talk about in depth in my next blog. After the Opening Ceremony, I headed to the Berlinale-Palast to see Leonardo DiCaprio. His premiere started at 8pm, so I figured that if I arrive an hour earlier, it would give me enough time to take his photo. I guess he was playing the “catch-me-if-you-can“ game, because I just missed him. Aaah, it was very aggravating. All I saw was him signing his picture on the big screen infront of the Berlinale Palast. I was so devastated that I even tried my luck with the security-guards and asked them if they could make an exception and let me in, but they were so very stubborn! At least I can say I tried. And hopefully there will be a next time.
On my way home, I was held up at the subway station by this funny-looking guy with a top hat and a box in a wheelbarrow, who caught my eye. People were queuing to take a look into the box, which had “Kinobox“ (“Moviebox“) written on it. The eccentric man explained that this was a miniature cinema on wheels showing “short films against boredom“. The shortest film was one minute long, and the longest lasted for about 10 minutes. The films were funny and creative and I thought the idea was ingenious. These little surprises are typical for Berlin!
My saturday evening ended at the Berlinale-Afterparty at a famous club in town. It was a fun and diverse night, I took many pictures and videos that I plan to share with you in my next blog. On that note, enjoy your weekend and take your valentine to a Berlinale-film!
by Yolanda Rother
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