Berlin Film Festival taking place in person despite pandemic

BERLIN (AP) — The Berlin Worldwide Movie Competition goes to happen in particular person subsequent month regardless of rising virus numbers in Germany, particularly within the capital, organizers mentioned Wednesday.

“We're conscious of the challenges posed by the unpredictable course of the pandemic,” the competition administration mentioned in a press release, including that strict pandemic measures could be utilized to the 72nd version of one of many world’s most well-known movie festivals.

“We would like the competition to ship a sign to the complete movie business, to cinemas and moviegoers, and to tradition as an entire — we'd like cinema, we'd like tradition,” Germany’s State Minister for Tradition and Media, Claudia Roth, mentioned.

“After all, in immediately’s instances, this may solely be managed with some painful cuts and with fixed vigilance,” she added. “The pandemic state of affairs is dynamic, and the Berlin Movie Competition is adapting to the ensuing challenges.”

Solely individuals who have already been absolutely vaccinated in opposition to COVID-19 or have just lately recovered from an an infection may have entry to the competition’s grounds. As well as, a day by day speedy check and masks might be required for everybody attending. Movie show attendance might be diminished to 50% capability and all events and receptions — often a vital spotlight of the movie competition — might be canceled.

Final yr’s movie competition was revamped because of the virus and cut up into two components — one for the business and one which screened motion pictures throughout the summer season.

The opening continues to be scheduled for Feb. 10 and the awards might be given out just a little sooner than initially deliberate, on Feb. 16, the German information company dpa reported.

The competition’s opening movie might be “Peter von Kant” by French movie director and screenwriter Francois Ozon. The film is a a free interpretation of Rainer Werner Fassbinder’s movie “The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant.”

The movie which stars Denis Ménochet, Isabelle Adjani and Hanna Schygulla is a part of the competition’s worldwide competitors and can rejoice its world premiere on Feb. 10, the organizers mentioned in a press release.

The competition’s jury might be headed by American filmmaker M. Evening Shyamalan.

French actress Isabelle Huppert might be awarded an Honorary Golden Bear for her lifetime achievement.

“Huppert is likely one of the most versatile actors on this planet and has performed a formidable vary of characters in nearly 150 cinema and tv productions,” the competition administration wrote when it introduced the nomination.