The Berlinale Special is a part of the Festival’s official programme and presents recent works by contemporary filmmakers whose films the Berlinale would like to honor.
This blend of remembrance, information and experiment will screen at two main venues: the Filmpalast on Kurfürstendamm and the International on the Karl-Marx-Allee.
This year’s Berlinale Special will present twelve films, including Gegenschuss – Aufbruch der Filmemacher (Reverse Angle – Rebellion of the Filmmakers), which is showing at the Zoopalast as the highlight of a special Berlinale series (see press release: Dec. 17, 2007). Several more films screening for special tributes will complete the program. Information on these works will be announced soon.
Films in the Berlinale Special:
1000 Journals USA – International Premiere
Documentary by Andrea Kreuzhage (Bookies, Ave María, SLC Punk!)
A documentation of an art project in which 1000 blank journals find their way into the world.
Auge in Auge – eine deutsche Filmgeschichte (Eye to Eye – all about German Film…) Germany – World Premiere
Documentary by Hans Helmut Prinzler, Michael Althen
An expedition into 100 years of German film history: well-known film personalities present their favourite films.
CSNY Déjà vu USA – International Premiere
Documentary by Bernard Shakey a.k.a. Neil Young
A documentation showing Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young on their Freedom of Speech Tour in 2006.
El pollo, el pez y el cangrejo real (The Chicken, The Fish And The King Crab) Spain – World Premiere
Documentary by José Luis López Linares
22 top chefs train all year long in order to qualify to compete for the Bocuse d’Or.
Himlens hjärta (Heaven’s Heart) Sweden/Denmark – World Premiere
Feature film by Simon Staho
with Mikael Persbrandt, Lena Endre, Jakob Eklund, Maria Lundquist
Intimate psychological drama with two couples that become involved in discussing adultery at dinner one night.
Nerakhoon (Betrayal) USA – European Premiere
Documentary feature by Ellen Kuras and Thavisouk Phrasavath
Shine a Light cinematographer Ellen Kuras presents her long-term portrait of a refugee from Laos who migrates with his family to New York.
Om Shanti Om India/UK – German Premiere
Feature film by Farah Khan (Main Hoon Na)
with Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, Shreyas Talpade
Almost all of India’s screen celebrities appear in this melodramatic love story. The film features Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan who will attend the premiere in Berlin as well as give a lecture at the Berlinale Talent Campus.
Plus tard tu comprendras France/Germany – World Premiere
Feature film by Amos Gitai (News from Home/News from House, Forum 2006)
with Jeanne Moreau, Dominique Blanc, Hippolite Girardot
A fictionalization of Jérôme Clément’s autobiography of the same name.
Steal a Pencil for Me USA – European Premiere
Documentary by Michèle Ohayon (Cowboy del Amor, Colors Straight Up)
with Jean-Pierre Gillian, Jack Polak, Ina Soep
The story of a couple’s unusual love that began during the Holocaust years.
Trip to Asia. Die Suche nach dem Einklang (Trip to Asia. The Quest for Harmony) Germany – World Premiere
Documentary by Thomas Grube (Rhythm Is It! Berlinale Special 2004)
with Sir Simon Rattle and the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
A look at the electrifying inner workings of one of the world’s most famous orchestras: the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra and their conductor Sir Simon Rattle, whom the director accompanied on a concert tour through Asia.
Wine and Cupcakes USA – German Premiere
Short film by Bruce Weber, with Angela McCluskey, Paul Cantelon
Documentary about the Scottish singer Angela McCluskey and her husband, composer Paul Cantelon.