Mariette Rissenbeek and Carlo Chatrian, the new double head of the Berlinale, announced this year's program of the competition films at a press conference on Wednesday. It comprises 18 films from 18 countries, including 16 world premieres and a documentary form.
Films with Jella Haase, Javier Bardem and Salma Hayek
"Berlin Alexanderplatz" (Germany / Netherlands), with Welket Bungué, Jella Haase, Albrecht Schuch, Joachim Król and more, is entering the race for the Golden Bear. The film opens in cinemas on April 16, 2020. Also "The Roads Not Taken" (United Kingdom) with Javier Bardem, Elle Fanning, Salma Hayek and Laura Linney as well as "Sister Little" (Switzerland) with among others Nina Hoss and Lars Eidinger are represented in the competition. Willem Dafoe can be seen in the competition film "Siberia" (Italy / Germany / Mexico) and "Bad Banks" star Paula Beer in "Undine" (Germany / France).
"The competition films tell small or earth-shattering, individual or collective stories that endure and develop their effect in interaction with the audience," says Carlo Chatrian, the artistic director of the Berlinale.
The program of this year's Berlinale Special features 20 films from 19 countries, including the Disney animated film "Onward: No Half Things", "Curveball" from Germany and the documentary forms "DAU. Degeneratsia" and "Speer Goes to Hollywood".
"This section offers films a stage that conquers a broad audience. We call them 'moving images' because they move viewers with their expressiveness and with brave and brave actors," explains Carlo Chatrian.
Great honor for Helen Mirren
The opening of the Berlin International Film Festival is celebrating the world premiere of "My Salinger Year" by Philippe Falardeau (51) this year. The Canadian-Irish production cast includes Sigourney Weaver, Margaret Qualley and Douglas Booth.
The 70th Berlinale takes place from February 20 to March 1. The British actor Jeremy Irons (71, "The affair of Sunny von B.") chaired the jury. His colleague Helen Mirren (74, "The Queen") receives the Golden Honorary Bear for her life's work, the German Ulrike Ottinger (77) the Berlinale Camera 2020.