'Django' biopic to open at event
The film stars Reda Kateb, who appeared with Viggo Mortensen in the Algeria-set war drama "Far From Men".
Reda Kateb stars in "Django", the biopic of Django Reinhardt, a virtuoso guitarist and composer who shot to global renown with his delicate melodies
Recommended articles
The French production, "Django", marks the directorial debut of Etienne Comar, a screenwriter and producer behind hits such as "Of Gods and Men" and "My King" and co-producer of the award-winning film about radical Islam "Timbuktu".
"Django" will compete for the Golden Bear top prize at the Berlinale, the first major European film festival of the year, running February 9-19.
Reinhardt, a virtuoso guitarist and composer who shot to global renown with his delicate melodies, belonged to the Sinti minority and was forced to flee German-occupied Paris in 1943.
ADVERTISEMENT
"Django Reinhardt was one of the most brilliant pioneers of European jazz and the father of Gypsy Swing. 'Django' grippingly portrays one chapter in the musician's eventful life and is a poignant tale of survival," festival director Dieter Kosslick said in a statement.
"Constant danger, flight and the atrocities committed against his family could not make him stop playing."
The film stars Reda Kateb, who appeared with Viggo Mortensen in the Algeria-set war drama "Far From Men".
The Berlinale is still putting the final touches on its line-up but last month announced the first entries for its main showcase.
"The Dinner" by Oren Moverman stars Richard Gere, Laura Linney and Steve Coogan in a thriller based on a Dutch novel by Herman Koch.
ADVERTISEMENT
British director Sally Potter will unveil "The Party" starring Patricia Clarkson and Bruno Ganz.
Romanian filmmaker Calin Peter Netzer, who scooped the Golden Bear in 2013 for "Child's Pose", will enter the competition with "Ana, mon amour".
Cult Finnish director Aki Kaurismaki will present his latest feature, "The Other Side of Hope".
And director Andres Veiel will premiere a documentary about the 20th century German sculptor and performance artist Joseph Beuys.
JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!
ADVERTISEMENT
Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:
Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng
Recommended articles
Amina, Ayinla, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, now Wole Soyinka – Nollywood enters biopic era
I am not your mate in this industry - Etinosa Idemudia tells Pere over debt
Kendrick Lamar beats Drake to set new Spotify record in the United States
See the teaser for Enioluwa Adeoluwa's upcoming limited series 'All of Us'
Ghana jollof is better than pizza, burgers and Nigeria jollof – Jeremie Frimpong
5 projects affected by the Drake Vs Kendrick Lamar rap beef
Ijele masquerade image goes viral in behind-the-scenes of Mena Ajakpovi's movie set
Chimezie Imo's 'Strawberry Chinny' to premiere at Essence Film Festival, see trailer
I can marry someone my parents don't accept - Singer Nasboi
Pulse Sports
Chelsea set to offer Romelu Lukaku and cash for Super Eagles star Victor Osimhen
Mikel Obi: Super Eagles legend goes viral speaking Hausa
Anthony Joshua: Nigerian-born boxer teams up with Mariah Carey, Naomi Campbell and Cuppy in France
ADVERTISEMENT
![Nollywood stunt coordinator, Adamseffects, revealed the challenges and the risks of stunt work in the Nigerian film industry. [Instagram/adamseffects]](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20width%3D'300'%20height%3D'172'%20data-ring-placeholder%3D'1'%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E "Nollywood stunt coordinator, Adamseffects, revealed the challenges and the risks of stunt work in the Nigerian film industry. [Instagram/adamseffects]")