Opening Day - 2013 Berlinale

Tonight at 7:30pm after a few words of greeting from Government officials the festival will be officially opened by Jury President Wong Kar Wai and Berlinale Director Dieter Kosslick. Ange Engelke will again host the evening and music will be provided by Ulrich Tukur & Die Rhythmus Boys with 3sat broadcasting the opening live.

Before the opening ceremony we have the Red Carpet where we will be able to see all juries members, national guests and maybe, the cast of the opening film that is none other than The Grandmaster by Won Kar Wai. You have no idea of how much I'm "dying" to see Wong Kar Wai's film that reunites him with Tony Leung, who I consider the best actor in the world. Those two are a "dream" come true for me, based on the several extraordinary films they have done together. Also in movie Ziyi Dhang who was in outstanding 2046 by Wong Kar Wai with Tony Leung in the leading role.

Hope to be able to watch both events and if find a live streaming will share here for you all, but seems that the official site will live stream today the first press conference and the red carpet. If you wish to see them go here.

Besides the opening film today we also have the screening of the first Panorama film, Zaza Rusadze's Chemi sabnis naketsi (A Fold in My Blanket), a Georgian production that from stills looks like the kind of film I highly enjoy while story seems interesting: "An oppressively atmospheric portrait of a small town community caught up in the treadmill of habit. With magical images illustrating the central character's vivid imagination, this assured work casually reveals the protagonist’s emotional world".

Tomorrow is when all sections will screen films and fest goes full force in this 10-day cinematic marathon, but today many Press Screenings (10) will happen so we will start to hear about movies soon. Not to mention that today is also the first day of the very active European Film Market.

Not planning on doing fest daily coverage but as need a break from Oscar race, probably will share some thoughts about the movies that call my attention each day.

International Jury 2013

The first activity has already happened, the jury photocall and next is the first photo from this year's fest. From left, Susanne Bier, Tim Robbins, Shirin Neshat, Wong Kar Wai, Athina Rachel Tsangari, Adreas Dresen and Ellen Kuras

As of this moment, the first 2013 great cinema party has begun.

Cheers!!!