Prepping the Red Carpet
January 29, 2008
Cruz, Johansson and a host of fellow Hollywood starlets will stir up a whir of camera shutters between Feb. 7 and 17 as they promote their news films -- like Cruz' "Elegy" and Johansson's "The Other Boleyn Girl."
Others celebs including Madonna, the Rolling Stones and Neil Young have also pledged to grace Berlin with their presence.
Many of the big names may go home with a sunburn from the camera flashes, but they won't go home with a bear -- which happens to be the real reason behind this little gathering.
Difficult decision awaits
Berlinale directors announced on Tuesday, Jan. 29, the names of the eight experienced film professionals, under the direction of jury president Costa-Gavras of France ("Z"), who will be responsible for bestowing the coveted Golden and Silver Bear awards.
German actress Diane Kruger ("Troy"), American sound designer Walter Murch ("Apocalypse Now"), Danish film director Susanne Bier ("After the Wedding") and German set designer Uli Hanisch ("Perfume") are among those to decide between 21 competing films from across the globe, many of them world premieres.
French actress Sandrine Bonnaire ("Biester"), Russian filmmaker Alexander Rodniansky and
Taiwanese actress Shu-Qi ("The Transporter") round out the jury.
Of oil, Iraq and cherry blossoms
"There Will Be Blood," US director Paul Thomas Anderson's version of Upton Sinclair's novel "Oil" is one of the much awaited premieres. It recounts the tale of how the unsuccessful silver miner Daniel Plainview, played by Daniel Day-Lewis, became an American oil magnate.
Oscar-winning documentary maker Errol Morris' "Standard Operating Procedure," another high-profile debut out of Hollywood, tackles the topic that was bound to come up: Abu Ghraib.
Two of the Golden Bear hopefuls come from the host country: "Cherry Blossoms" by Doris Dörrie and "Heart of Fire" Luigi Falorni.
On and off the screen
Though less than two dozen films are eligible for the top awards, a total of 384 films will be shown over the 10-day festival -- which doesn't leave much time to star watch.
But with Natalie Portman, Kristin Scott Thomas and Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan expected to attend -- not to mention Cruz and Johansson -- some guests may opt for the live view.