Berlinale
Krystof Hadek: 'foreign characters played by English-speaking actors? Disappointing'
In the last month the 27-year-old Czech actor has picked up accolades at the Berlin film festival (one of the ten 'shooting stars' in Europe) and a Czech Lion for 'best actor'. We talk fame, acting genes and language in European cinema
berlinale, brunch, kryštof hádek, czech republic, cinema, film, film festival
Berlin film festival: well, hello Leo
cafebabel.com are loyal attendees of Europe's biggest cinematic event, especially in the year it turns a dinosaur 60. Via a small team of pan-European correspondents in the capital, here's a selection of exclusives of the latest releases, a flashback through the festival's tormented history, a mystery trail on the heels of Banksy and interviewees who jump the hoops through our hearts and - literally - over our heads. Catch our Berlin babelblog and twitter page for more
- Berlin film festival: 60 years of masterpieces
- Israeli and Arab film pick at the Berlin film festival
- Florian Lukas: no more 'best mate characters' for the 'Good Bye Lenin!' star
- Communist-themed film reviews: Kawasaki's Rose vs Portrait Of The Fighter As A Young Man
- Metropolis: masterpiece recovered at last
- Kinshasa Symphony: why is Mozart in Africa an alien concept?
Dear Reader via Johannesburg and Berlin: 'We’re all just geeks really'
Cherilyn MacNeil, 24, the charismatic singer and pianist of South African indie trio Dear Reader, speaks to us from the fringes of the Berlin Festival about her home country’s mix of danger and new beginnings, faith and spirituality, broken hearts and summer in Berlin
berlinale, festivals, brunch, religion, concert, love, music
Twenty years on: why Berlin is not Germany
The city buzzes with cultural events to commemorate the reunification of Berlin and the European continent. But how do the protagonists of the change view each other - whether they are born after 1990, are pre-1990 migrants or modern-day visitors?
berlinale, enlargement, stasi, eudebate on the ground, eudebate2009, berlin
'The Wonderous World of Laundry': forgiving free market in Berlin and Warsaw
The global credit crunch has quickly established it self to be a test of European solidarity. The government in Berlin faces a particularly difficult challenge as 2009 brings them the presidential elections and the elections for European parliament. This is also the time to fulfil the promise of opening up the German labour market to the ten new EU states, including Poland. Will pre-election fever deal with the ever-increasing unemployment on both sides of the Odra River – without compromising the strong relationship between Berlin and Warsaw?
berlinale, work, unemployment, poland, european union, borders, labour market
Film review Austria: The Bone Man is rootsy, rank and riotous
The world premiere of Der Knochenmann took place at the Berlin film festival on 9 February. The bittersweet crime caper, starring the unfortunate private detective Simon Brenner, provides an in-depth insight into rural Austria and its relationship with its European neighbours east of the Danube. In the Alpine republic, Brenner is something of a folk hero. Here’s why
berlinale, vienna, comedy, film review, austria, wolf haas, cinema
The Yes Men fix the world: die, global capitalism
Andy Bichlbaum and Mike Bonanno's modern political activism doesn't only involve fighting for their beliefs. They have shot a whole movie about it. Exclusive video interview
berlinale, yes men, antisistema, documental, bohpal, politics, cine
Interview with actor Paweł Szajda: ‘I was used to a kind of dictatorship on the set’
On 13 February, the Polish film Tatarak by director Andrzej Wajda closes the Berlin Film Festival. The 27-year-old lead actor, a sort of Polish-American David Kross, tells us why he wants to return to his European roots
berlinale, andrzej wajda, poland, love, paweł szajda, usa, film
Berlinale: Europe’s ten up-and-coming ’Shooting Stars’
Every year since 1998, an international jury selects Europe’s best actors. These then embark take on a journey across the world to promote European cinema - and to get to know themselves. On 9 February, British actresses Carey Mulligan and Sarah Bogler joined nine other winners at the Berlin Film Festival
berlinale, cine, youth, shooting stars, film, culture, film festival
Berlinale documentary: FOOD inc - what are you eating?
Do producers deliberately hide information about the origins, ingredients or the production process? American director Robert Kenner investigates in the primary phase of the chain, right into the animal factories and agricultural fields
berlinale, health, food, economy, lobby, slow food, european parliament
The Reader: Germany’s Nazi past a festival highlight
Stephen Daldry's stirring film is an attempt to ethically approach taking responsibility for the Holocaust crimes which is ingeniously intertwined with the story of ill-fated love. The phenomenal Kate Winslet picked up a BAFTA on 8 February to add to her Golden Globe for her role as Hanna Schmitz
berlinale, festivals, war, history, actors, stephen daldry , kate winslet
