IPOP
The Pan Nordic Building, Felleshus, at Berlin's Nordic Embassies complex near Potsdamer Platz was the site of a sprawling premiere party for Petri Kotwica's "Black Ice," which had its international premiere in competition at the Berlin International Film Festival on Friday night. The black but humorous love triangle, which seemed well-received here at the festival, has already been a hit back home in Finland, recently winning six of the country's Jussi Awards, including best picture. Pictured at the party are filmmaker Kowtica (right), winner of the best director prize at the Jussi's, with Outi Maenpaa, best actress prize at the recent ceremony. The Berlinale competition slot for "Black Ice" is a big moment for Finnish cinema, marking the first time in nearly 20 years that the country has had a film in competition at the German festival. [Eugene Hernandez]