Berlin might just be the coolest city in the world. At least that’s what locals think, with restaurant king KP Kofler, saying, “Berlin is everything Germany is not: spontaneous, exciting, open and cosmopolitan.”
The city’s rise from some of the darkest days in history to its hipper-than-thou present is seen in the futuristic Potsdamer Platz, trendy boho fashion hub of Mitte, art galleries and underground techno clubs.
Today, it is up on the silver screen for the kick-off of the 61st annual Berlin International Film Festival. Event boss Dieter Kosslick says, “Berlin has made culture its primary industry. Music, film, art, fashion – that’s been the driving force, the creative industries. It’s an extremely culture-rich, extremely international city.”
This year, 16 films will be vying to nab the Golden Bear award for Best Picture, with independent films tipped to outclass blockbusters. The Hollywood Reporter’s Scott Roxborough said: “Berlin is toning down the Hollywood glitz and upping the indie grit in 2011.”
The Coen brothers’ Western re-make True Grit, will open the festival, while Paula Markovitch’s debut The Prize, which tells the story of a young girl trying to protect her family during Argentina’s military regime, is expected to pull in the punters.
If you miss out on the chance to catch the film fest, which runs until 20 February, check out another epic event, MaerzMusik, from 18 to 27 March. This year, the contemporary music festival will showcase new beats set against old films. Held at venues all over the city, visitors can catch a showing of One Sixth of the World by Russian film revolutionary Dziga Vertov and a world premiere from Taiwanese composer Pei-Yu Shi.
