The Berlinale, Europe’s first major film festival of the year, kicked off on Thursday and will last ten days, during which around 200 films of all genres are screened. A Rudaw team is covering the cultural event on the ground.
“The Berlinale is a unique place of artistic exploration and entertainment. It is one of the largest public film festivals in the world, attracting tens of thousands of visitors from around the globe each year. For the film industry and the media, the eleven days in February are also one of the most important events in the annual calendar and an indispensable trading forum,” says the festival on its website.
Sebastian Stan is a Romanian-American actor.
“One of the first films I ever saw here, it was a long time ago, it was Shutter Island. I was just able to go into the theatre. It was really an impressive experience. So the idea of just being here with the film that I was involved in is definitely very special,” he told Rudaw’s Payam Sarbast.
Greta Fernandez is a Spanish actress. She said she had visited the previous editions of the festival in the past.
“I love the festival. I was here five years ago. I was presenting another film… and now I'm back again. It is like a dream. I am also surrounded by these amazing, beautiful actors,” she noted.
Adam Pearson is a British actor. His film, A Different Man, was screened at the festival.
“It is amazing [to be here]... just excited for people to see it. I have no control on how the next two hours will go… It is an honor and privilege to be here. We are in competition,” he told Rudaw.
Asked about his message for his fans in the Kurdistan Region, he said “If people like what I do, that is amazing. If they don’t like what I do then what am I supposed to do about it?”
Aaron Schimberg is an American film director.
“I think it is the best festival in the world. I am very honored to be here… I can’t believe I am here,” he said.
