Berlinale Day 7

Berlinale Day 7

On the competition front there was the new Volker Schlondorff film Return to Montauk.  I did not see the film but the judging by the level of applause the critical reaction to the film was not so good.  I asked two people, a male and a female.  The male journalist loathed it but the female journalist liked it.   The film is based on a book by Max Frisch concerning lovers who meet then separate with the Max (Berlinale regular guest  Stellan Skarsgard) hoping for another chance. Nina Hoss also stars as Rebecca .

Stay tuned for updates about this film.

Screening out of competition was the newest film by Alex de la Iglesia’s The Bar, a dark Spanish comedy starring Maria Casas and Jose Sacristan.  During the press conference Mr. Iglesia mentioned the use of lighting and sets as a narrative tool, finding inspiration from old Hollywood films.  Berlinale press reaction to the film was lukewarm.  I am not a fan of the director’s previous work.  I have a feeling his latest film will not change my mind.

Berlinale Updates:

There are two standouts A Fantastic Woman and The Other Side of Hope.   One could take home the Gold Bear.  Luis Gnecco could get the Actress Award.