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Ten best moments of the Berlinale film festival

The 64th Berlinale film drew to a close on Sunday, after 11 days packed with quality films. The Local has picked the best moments from a festival full of celebrities, scandal and the best of world cinema.

Ten best moments of the Berlinale film festival
Photo: DPA/The Local

The biggest Berlinale yet welcomed hundreds of international filmstars and directors to Berlin, with the likes of George Clooney and Ralph Fiennes wandering the city streets.  

The opening ceremony, which featured Wes Anderson's "The Grand Budapest Hotel" drew in a large crowd, who got their first glimpse of the line-up of famous faces who flocked to Berlin.

Starring Ralph Fiennes, Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton and Jeff Goldblum, it was a hit among reviewers and fans and received the Silver Bear grand jury prize.

But other famous names failed to win over the jury. George Clooney's large-scale drama "Monuments Men", shot in Berlin, was a flop amongst fans and critics alike.

CLICK HERE for 10 of the best moments of the Berlinale

The Berlinale festival also brought fresh faces into the limelight, such as Ellar Coltrane, star of Richard Linklater's "Boyhood", filmed over twelve years as the actor grew up.

It won the Texan Best Director. The festival was also an occasion to bid farewell to director Ken Loach, who received an honorary Golden Bear for his lifelong contribution to the industry.

The festival was not without controversy, as Lars von Trier's "Nymphomaniac Volume 1" caused a stir amongst film fans. Star of the film Shia La Beouf gave the film yet more media coverage by abruptly leaving a press conference and appearing on the red carpet with his face covered with a paper bag.

The Berlinale drew to a close over the weekend with the awards ceremony where the judges' pick of films was presented. This year's top award went to "Black Coal, Thin Ice" from Chinese director Diao Yinan, who has received international acclaim for his drama.

CLICK HERE for 10 of the best moments of the Berlinale

Frances Foley

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FILM

French films with English subtitles to watch in November

As days get shorter and temperatures drop, November is a great month to enjoy a warm and comforting moment at the cinema. Here’s a round up of the French movies with English subtitles to see in Paris this month.

Cinema in France
Photo: Loic Venance/AFP

The cinema group Lost in Frenchlation runs regular screenings of French films in the capital, with English subtitles to help non-native speakers follow the action. The club kicks off every screening with drinks at the cinema’s bar one hour before the movie, so it’s also a fun way to meet people if you’re new to Paris.

These are the events they have coming up in November.

Friday, November 5th

Boîte Noire – What happened on board the Dubai-Paris flight before it crashed in the Alps? In this thriller Matthieu, a young and talented black box analyst played by Pierre Niney (star of Yves Saint-Laurent among other movies) is determined to solve the reason behind this deadly crash, no matter the costs. 

The screening will take place at the Club de l’étoile cinema at 8pm. But you can arrive early for drinks at the bar from 7pm. 

Tickets are €10 full price, €8 for students and all other concessions, and can be reserved here.

Sunday, November 14th

Tralala – In the mood for music? This new delightful French musical brings you into the life of Tralala (played by Mathieu Amalric), a 48 years old, homeless and worn-out street singer, who one day gets mistaken for someone else. Tralala sees an opportunity to get a better life by taking on a new personality. He now has a brother, nephews, ex-girlfriends, and maybe even a daughter. But where is the lie? Where is the truth? And who is he, deep down?

The night will start with drinks from 6pm followed by the screening at 7pm at the Luminor Hôtel de Ville cinema. There is also a two-hour cinema-themed walk where you’ll be taken on a “musicals movie tour” in the heart of Paris, which begins at 4pm.

Tickets cost €10, or €8 for students and concessions, and can be found here. Tickets for the walking tour cost €20 and must be reserved online here.

Thursday, November 18th

Illusions Perdues – Based on the great novel series by Honoré de Balzac between 1837 and 1843, this historical drama captures the writer Lucien’s life and dilemmas who dreams about a great career of writing and moves to the city to get a job at a newspaper. As a young poet entering the field of journalism, he is constantly challenged by his desire to write dramatic and eye-catching stories for the press. But are they all true?

The evening will kick off with drinks at L’Entrepôt cinema bar at 7pm, followed by the movie screening at 8pm. Tickets are available online here, and cost €8.50 full price; €7 for students and all other concessions.

Sunday, November 21st

Eiffel – Having just finished working on the Statue of Liberty, Gustave Eiffel (played by Romain Duris) is tasked with creating a spectacular monument for the 1889 Universal Exposition in Paris. It’s ultimately his love story with Adrienne Bourgès (Emma Mackey) that will inspire him to come up with the idea for the Eiffel Tower.

After a first screening last month, Lost in Frenchlation is organising a new one at the Luminor Hôtel de Ville cinema, with pre-screening drinks at the cinema bar. 

Tickets cost €10, or €8 for students and concessions, and can be found here

Thursday, November 25th

Les Héroïques – Michel is a former junkie and overgrown child who only dreams of motorbikes and of hanging out with his 17-year-old son Léo and his friends. But at 50 years old, he now has to handle the baby he just had with his ex, and try not to make the same mistakes he has done in the past. 

The film will be followed by a Q&A with the director Maxime Roy who will discuss his very first feature. 

Tickets cost €10, or €8 for students and concessions, and can be found here.

Full details of Lost in Frenchlation’s events can be found on their website or Facebook page. In France, a health pass is required in order to go to the cinema.

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