Berlinale Sets Opening and Closing Films

The 60th Berlin International Film Festival will kick off with the world premiere of the Chinese Competition film "Tuan Yuan" (Apart Together) in the Berlinale Palast on February 11, 2010. "Yuan" is the latest film by Wang Quan'an, who also participated in the Berlinale Competition in 2007 with "Tuya de hun shi" (Tuya's Marriage), which won the Golden Bear. "Tuan Yuan" tells the story of a great love, while depicting the tragedy of a divided country. The film stars Lu Yan, Ling Feng, Xu Cai Gen and Mo Xiaoqi.

Following its world premiere in the Competition, "Tuan Yuan" will be shown again in the programme of Culinary Cinema on February 17, 2010.

The festival also announced its closing night film. After the annual award ceremony on the night of February 20th, "Otouto" (About Her Brother) by Yoji Yamada ("Kabei") will be screened as the official closing film. This most recent work by the Japanese master director, who over the years has already been a guest of the Berlinale six times, is being presented out of competition.

The Berlin International Film Festival runs February 11-21, 2010.