The Berlinale is Germany’s most important and biggest film festival. Stars and film fans from all over the world are drawn to Berlin in February. DW-reporter Hallie Rawlison this is the first Time.
I on the red carpet! Stars such as Casey Affleck, Andie MacDowell, and Juliette Binoche at your fingertips! That I may experience, I would not have thought of in a dream. I’m from the USA – the Land of Hollywood, glitz and Glamour – but from Ohio. After Ohio, no A-listers get lost, if I have nothing to add of filming for “Fast and Furious” or “Avengers” in Cleveland. When I moved to Berlin, I would have never thought that my chances to meet international Stars.
The Potsdamer Platz is the epicentre of the Berlinale film festival
Filmfest with Aha-effect
At the beginning of February my friend and I were not disappointed, even violently, that Christian bale’s new Film “Vice” is still running in the German cinemas. In the USA, he came back in December to get out. I sought advice on the Internet. A few clicks later, and the good news is that “Vice” will be shown at the Berlinale, even before the German cinema release. It is not a contest post, he’s running out of competition.
Nevertheless, the question remained: How do I get Tickets? I know film festivals such as Sundance, Cannes, and Venice – all the Festivals with a high Star-volume and Top films. But, unfortunately, not for the normal audience, for people like me. So I looked in the Berlinale program, to expect actually, without really trying to see this Oscar-nominated Film before the German cinema premiere. But then: Bingo! It runs on several dates, and – even better – it will even give Tickets. The go only two days before a festival performance in the sale. Since everyone has an absolute Chance! I?
Unbelievable: I am standing in the first row on the red carpet
Ready for the red carpet
The Berlinale takes ten days. Still a week to “Vice”. I decide to make the Berlinale my personal culture-Experiment and immerse yourself in the festival rush. I had no idea what to expect. So I talked to a colleague who reported for DW-News, to take me Greenhorn under their wing. I will accompany you on the opening day to the red carpet in front of the Berlinale Palace at the Potsdamer Platz. For the opening gala of the whole place is flooded with Stars and Fans formally.
To All those who visit once in the life of a Filmfest in Europe, and without a great Tricks want to get hold of tickets, which I recommend: Go to the Berlinale! The Potsdamer Platz vibrates during the entire festival. Dressed in black wizard tracks its way through the crowd, Fans stretch their Stars glossy photos: An autograph, please!
Film fans from the Ukraine stand in line for an autograph from Casey Affleck
With my colleague, and many, many others, I’m on the red carpet, eager to see which Stars I get to see. I just find it sensational that do I need for this Pole Position once a press card. Everyone can stand here and his Star adore. This is what I call cool. Between the press and the Fans, no difference is made. To photograph the actor Bill Nighy, is to be seen in the Film “Kindness of Strangers”, a close – anyone can do it. Nighy does with his phone by the way is the same: He photographs, and the Fans. A Mutual Enthusiasm!
Cold, colder, Berlinale
It is a chilling truth: Berlin is cold in February. Not even the memory of the balmy evenings at the Venice film festival warms me up. How is this going to go, average temperatures of 1 degree Celsius? For this purpose, the icy easterly wind. But I’m well prepared: a knee-length warm wool coat, a scarf and a wool hat. Under my Jeans I was still wearing Leggings – you can never know. How do the the Stars only in their thin little flags, if they are posing for the photographers? Just Watching me is even colder. The Wait and Freezing, but worth it, I manage to get an autograph of German actress Heike Makatsch, for example, is known for her roles in “love Actually” or “The book thief”.
Yummie: Mexican Tacos from the Street Food Market
Time for a little warm-up break. Only a few steps from the red carpet away there is a Street Food Market. Should I take one of these juicy Cheese-Burger, or would you prefer a Korean rice-Bowl? The decision is taken from me, because my American heart is beating Salto, as do I spot a Food Truck with Mexican Tacos. My tip is to Try as many Food Trucks as you can, depends a bit – maybe Christian Bale or Tilda Swinton are behind you in the queue.
My personal Highlight
Still electrified from my first day at the Berlinale, I decide to go the next Morning to one of the Ticket counters. Maybe I’m lucky and there are still tickets for the same day. Nothing is impossible. When I received the program booklet a little bit more study, slays me is the selection. 400 films, competition films, Retrospectives, film series, Indie productions, you’ll probably see only at Festivals, and many international productions. Some of the celebrations here, at the Berlinale world premiere. For example, “Light of My Life”, the new Film by the Oscar award winner, Casey Affleck, who directed, wrote the script and plays the main role. The Premiere will take place on the same evening.
Casey Affleck gives autographs
Sold out! That’s too bad! But what a privilege when you get a ticket for the press preview. I Happy! And so I find myself in the Sony Center at the Potsdamer Platz again and wait with my colleagues on the inlet. About us a giant tent-like roof spans. The Sony Center, which opened in 2000, is one of the few places in Berlin that remind me of the skyscrapers home in America. This construction with the futuristic ambience of the German architect Helmut Jahn. The roof is made of glass and steel that glows in the dark, in alternating colors, is a real eye-catcher.
Impressive, the tent roof of the Sony center at Potsdamer Platz
I don’t have to tear myself away right from this sight, in order not to miss my movie. The father-daughter story, with Casey Affleck as a dad, and Anna Pniowsky as a daughter, let me grab my Tempo handkerchiefs. A touching story!
Festival feeling
What impressed me most about this film festival is that you get everywhere, if you’re early enough at the ticket counter. And even if that doesn’t work, you can mingle with the Fans on the red carpet. Especially the remains for me an unforgettable experience.
The Berlinale is a democratic Festival: cinema for all. I think it’s good. Here it is really about bringing the films to the audience. It is not directed like most of the other Festivals on a hand-picked, exclusive premiere audience.
The Kino International is one of the major festival of cinema of the Berlinale
How was it? Early to queue that helps. On Saturday Morning, I’m one of the first, which will take place in Kino International for “Vice”-Tickets. Or better seats. Because I sit in a long queue on the tiled floor in the Foyer and wait. A hesitant woman’s voice penetrates to my ear. The lady asks gently, for which Film, we wait in line and whether we might be able to buy a couple of Tickets for a different movie, the cash they have. You have to know, at the Berlinale, there is per Film and per Person, only two Tickets. My friend and I know that your son plays in one of the movies, and you would like to invite the whole family, but unfortunately, only two Tickets can buy. We can help!
What is a friendly Festival where you meet as a Fan, its Stars, Fans meet, and a proud mother can help to showcase your acting talent to the whole family. I still think about that specific mood of the Berlinale, as the light in the cinema begins International out slowly and “Vice”. I’m in! And I can only say: I’m already looking forward to the next Berlinale!
Managed: We have Tickets for “Vice”