Despite some challenges (e.g., getting tickets, a U-Bahn, tram and bus strike on Saturday), we were able to attend two films from the Berlinale this past weekend — one on Saturday at the Haus der Berliner Festspiele and one on Sunday at the Cinestar at Potsdamer Platz. Thanks to a tip from Jen, we arrived nice and early to each venue and (after some line standing and elbow jostling), were able to score prime seats each time. And how were the films, you ask? Well, let me tell you…
Flying Swords of Dragon Gate. A fantastical martial arts film from China (think Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon), we really enjoyed how gorgeously this move was filmed. The cinematography was beautiful and the costumes were exquisite. And even better? The film was in 3D (a first for both of us), so I was literally ducking from all those flying swords in the title. Although the story itself was nothing earth shattering, this was most definitely an entertaining film and we had a lot of fun watching it.
Escuela Normal. A documentary spanning a school year at a high school in Argentina, we found this film to be a bit disappointing. The entire film was comprised of various moments and episodes filmed at the school (e.g., class elections, graduation, etc.), but overall there was a real lack of a narrative. Although I actually liked the rawness of the footage and camera angles, there was no attempt to pull any meaning or themes out of it through interviews or direct commentary from students or teachers. I’m not advocating being spoon fed or anything, but the roter Faden (as the Germans would say) — or common thread pulling it all together — was missing. While I appreciated feeling like we were getting a raw look into this world, in my opinion it wasn’t enough.
So, you win some and you lose some in film festival going, I guess. Overall, I really liked the international atmosphere and audiences of the Berlinale. I was also glad to get outside of my comfort zone in terms of the typical films I’m attracted to and the typical Berlin neighborhoods that I spend time in. Now that I’ve got some film fest experience under my belt, I’ll be better prepared for next year’s festival and hope to really take advantage of the variety the Berlinale has to offer!
Were you at the Berlinale this year (or in years previous)? Did anyone have the chance to see Call Me Kuchu or Herzog’s Death Row? What did you think?
Glad you enjoyed your Berlinale experience.
This year has marked the fifth time I’ve been at the Berlinale and like you I love the atmosphere and that I get to see movies that are usually not running in cinemas here. I had tickets for Tuesday to see “For Ellen”, an American movie about a musician who’s about to loose custody of a daughter he barely knows and gets one last chance to reach out to her. The main character was not easy to like but the movie was good. Another thing I love about Berlinale: Often the director is present at the screening to answer questions from the audience.
Hmm, sounds good — I’ll have to see if I can find a trailer online for For Ellen. I didn’t get to experience the director Q&A at either of my films, but I agree, that would definitely add to the excitement!