Doesn’t it feel like an eternity ago that we were talking about the possibilities for “Shutter Island” in this year’s Oscar race? I’m still sulking, frankly.
Still, compensation for the delay arrives in the shape of some European festival prestige: Martin Scorsese’s adaptation of Dennis Lehane’s Gothic thriller will play out of competition at the 60th Berlin International Film Festival in February.
Of course, Berlin audiences won’t be the first to lay eyes on the film: it recently had a “surprise” screening at Butt-Numb-a-Thon in Texas. Impressions are scattered around the net if you care to seek them.
Also in the lineup is Roman Polanski’s latest, “The Ghost Writer” — a political thriller adapted from a Robert Harris novel, starring Ewan McGregor and Pierce Brosnan. Unlike Scorsese’s film, Polanski’s will be in contention for the Golden Bear.
The two selections represent quite a coup for the festival after last year’s low-key affair, where “Cheri” was the starriest title in competition. (Peruvian Oscar entry “The Milk of Sorrow” won the Golden Bear, but many have forgotten that “The Messenger” started its awards journey there 10 months ago, with the Best Screenplay prize.)
In contrast, the high star-wattage of the Scorsese film, combined with the inevitable media circus that will surround the Polanski, should ensure a far higher profile for the Berlinale in its diamond-anniversary year. I’m hoping to be there to bring you the action.
What follows is the first batch of programme titles announced this morning. (The remaining 19 will be confirmed in January.) The 2010 Berlinale will run from 11 to 21 February; as we mentioned recently, Werner Herzog will preside over the jury this year.
BERLINALE 2010
“Bal (Honey)” (dir. Semih Kaplanoglu)
“Der Räuber (The Robber)” (dir. Benjamin Heisenberg)
“My Name is Khan” (dir. Karan Johar)
“Na Putu (On the Path)” (dir. Jasmila Zbanic)
“Shekarchi (The Hunter)” (dir. Rafi Pitts)
“Shutter Island” (dir. Martin Scorsese)
“The Ghost Writer” (dir. Roman Polanski)
Comments
8 responses to “‘Shutter Island’ to premiere at Berlin fest”
For what it’s worth, AICN posted a review and declared the usual. Masterpiece, best ever, Leo’s greatest role ever etc etc etc.
the link you’ve posted from the official berlinale website, says ‘shutter island’ will also be played in competition.
did i read it too hastily or did you write it wrong here?
“For what it’s worth, AICN posted a review”
It’s not worth a lot, is it, Jonathan? ;)
Amir: They seem to have a weird differentiation between “Competition” and “In Competition,” which is confusing to say the least. But from what I can gather, it’s an out-of-competition entry. (As is “My Name is Khan,” apparently.)
Why do Hollywood movies always chicken out? Why not play in competition? Maybe its the festivals themselves that want to give exposure to artier Euro titles but still maybe a spot or 2 so we can atleast know how do they fare.
And the Polanski movie, that’s gonna be huge. It will reported non-stop on BBC and CNN and if it manages to win something, it will renew the trans-Atlantic tug-of-war over his release status.
Eagerly awaiting both Shutter Island and The Ghost Writer.
Guy,
The picture is the exact shot from the trailer that made me make my comment in the Inception poster post. Weird.
Polanski obviously won’t be allowed to show up, because he’s imprisoned in a Swiss dungeon in Gstaad where he’s being waterboarded every single day until he finally admits Rosemary’s Baby was funded by the Bohemian Grove.
Herzog sucks.