Cinema: the Berlinale opens with a minute of silence for the victims of Hanau

Text by: RFI Follow

Ten days after the Oscars, and three months before that of Cannes, the Berlinale raised the curtain on Thursday evening February 20. Until March 1, several hundred films will be presented to the public and to juries. One, chaired by actor Jeremy Irons, will have to distinguish among 20 films the one who wins the prestigious golden bear. But yesterday was not exactly the time to celebrate when it opened this 70th edition, caught up in dramatic news.

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It is the 70th Berlinale. A round count since the festival has been held since 1951 in the German capital. But no one has the heart to party a few hours after the double shooting of Hanau , perpetrated by a killer of the far right, reports our special envoy, Sophie Torlotin .

" The Berlinale symbolizes freedom, tolerance, respect and hospitality " reminded the two festival directors, Mariette Rissenbeek and Carlo Chatrian, before enforcing a minute of silence.

With great dismay, the Berlinale learned of the fatal attack in #Hanau. Our deepest sympathy goes to the victims & their families. We stand for tolerance & hospitality. We oppose violence and racism. At today's Opening, we will commemorate the victims with a minute of silence.

Moments before, festival-goers, including stars Jeremy Irons and Sigourney Weaver stood up to applaud Culture Minister Monika Grütters, who was alarmed by the growing popularity of the far-right political movement.

► Also listen : "The surveillance net is now much more complicated to extend in Germany"

The Québécois Philippe Falardeau, director of the opening film My Salinger year , then hoped that his film could bring a little help to the afflicted spectators. Adapted from a bestseller, it tells the story of a year in the life of an aspiring novelist, hired by the agency which deals in particular with the most mysterious of American writers, the author of The Heart's Hook , JD Salinger. A pleasant film without more but which tints with love of art and freshness a very dark topicality.

A first proper look at this year's #Berlinale: The highlights of the Press Conference with our International Jury: #JeremyIrons (Jury President) and #BereniceBejo, #BettinaBrokemper, @AnnemarieJacir, #KennethLonergan, #LucaMarinelli, and # KleberMendonçaFilho (@kmendhoho) . pic.twitter.com/NqjvqglWU3

open since 1951 in the German capital.

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