Berlin film festival opens with war

BERLIN, Germany -- A film about the battle that marked the beginning of the end for Nazi Germany is scheduled to open Berlin's film festival.

"Enemy at the Gates" -- an $80 million German-American co-production starring Jude Law, Ed Harris and Joseph Fiennes -- recreates the epic 1942 battle for Stalingrad.

The German Army eventually surrendered to Stalin's troops in the snow around the Russian city, marking a major turning point in World War II.

But 56 years on, actors, directors and critics will converge on the German capital on Wednesday for the opening of Europe's first major film showcase of the year.

The Berlinale, considered one of the world's top film festivals after Cannes, is expected to attract 14,000 viewers to 300 films over 12 days.

Kate Winslet, the British star of blockbuster "Titanic," Latin pop singer Ricky Martin and British actor Peter Ustinov were due in Berlin on Tuesday evening to receive German television awards.

Winslet will be promoting her latest film, Philip Kaufman's "Quills," about the French writer the Marquis de Sade.

"Hannibal," sequel to "The Silence of the Lambs," starring Anthony Hopkins will be also shown, while Sean Connery will be pushing "Finding Forrester," the story of a reclusive writer who is mentor to a tough inner-city boy.

"Finding Forrester" and "The Tailor of Panama" -- the latter based on a John le Carre work -- are among 24 films competing for the festival's top Golden Bear prize for best movie awarded on the closing day, along with the Silver Bear award for best actor.

Veteran U.S. actor Kirk Douglas, 84, will receive a Golden Bear for lifetime achievement. His career has spanned 55 years and the festival will show 23 of his more than 80 films.

The festival also will showcase a raft of international films. Asia is particularly well represented with Golden Bear contenders including China's "The Bicycle," South Korean box office hit "Joint Security Area" and Taiwan's "Betelnut Beauty."

Reuters contributed to this report.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Berlinale

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