Clive Owen in The International Clive Owen in The International

The Berlin Film Festival celebrated its 59th edition in 2009 - and opened with the world premiere of banking thriller, The International. It ran from February 5 to 15.

Films in the festival's Competition section vie for the Golden and Silver Bear Awards, where elsewhere there are sections dedicated to arthouse film, movies aimed at younger viewers, experimental work, the latest in home-grown talent and short film. The Festival is rounded out by a Retrospective - for classic "rediscovery" and a Homage which "focuses on the lifework of a great cinema personality".

In 2009, the Berlinale Special focused on Culinary Cinema, which opened with Food, Inc - a documentary shining the spotlight on the food industry.

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Box office and information

BIFF Latest Reviews

West Side Story
West Side Story
Musical transposes the story of Romeo and Juliet to the gang-ridden streets of New York.
575 Castro St
575 Castro St
A light and motion study accompanying a tape recording by Harvey Milk to be played "in the event of my death by assassination".
Playtime
Playtime
Monsieur Hulot becomes caught up in an American tourist invasion of Paris.
Cleopatra
Cleopatra
An epic based on the life of the legendary queen.
All Around Us
All Around Us
Witty drama about eight years in a marriage.
Sweetgrass
Sweetgrass
A year in the life of a flock of sheep and the people who tend to them.
Skirt Day
Skirt Day
A teacher accidentally takes her class hostage.
When You're Strange
When You're Strange
Documentary tracking the rise of The Doors, featuring rare footage of the band and Jim Morrison.
Bellamy
Bellamy
A detective enjoying a quiet holiday in southern France finds himself caught up in an intriguing mystery.
Beeswax
Beeswax
Two twins face choices as they reach adulthood.
A-Z of Berlin International Film Festival 2009 reviews >>>

Berlin International Film Festival Features

Behind the Milk Of Sorrow
Claudia Llosa talks about Peru's history and the themes in her magic realist Golden Bear winning film.
Berlin Film Festival: It's a wrap
Our team pick their favourites from the fest.
Berlin Festival Diary: Day 10
The International, Eden Is West and a press conference with Costa-Gravas and Riccardo Scamario
Berlin Festival Diary: Day Nine
Dust Of Time, Pink Panther and Steve Martin on "critical snobbery".
Berlin Festival Diary: Day Eight
Notorious, An Education, plus German Satire Short Cut To Hollywood.
Berlin Festival Diary: Day Seven
Today, It Might Get Loud, plus Chéri red carpet and why we're not feeling in the Pink.
Berlin Festival Diary: Day Six
Chéri... plus Michelle Pfeiffer talks younger men.
Berlin Diary: Day Five
The Messenger and press conference, a chat to Bernard Tavernier, plus Keanu Reeves on The Private Lives Of Pippa Lee.
Berlin Diary: Day Four
A high time at High Life, enraged by Rage, plus Coyote, Absolute Evil and Mammoth.
Berlin Diary: Day Three
Beast Stalker and In The Electric Mist press conference and film
Berlin Diary: Day Two
Kate Winslet on nudity, plus capsule reviews of Marin Blue, Ricky and Adam Resurrected.
Berlin Diary: Day One
The International red carpet and some films to look forward to.

Berlin International Film Festival News

Joy for Sorrow in Berlin
Madeinusa director Claudia Llosa's second feature wins Golden Bear.
Berlin announces first Panorama titles
Selection includes documentary by Golden Bear winner José Padilha
Maurice Jarre homage at Berlin
French film composer celebrated, plus films announced in Generation section.
Berlin announces first batch of competition films
Titles include UK co-productions London River and Rage.
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