Berlin – A feature film by German director Tom Tykwer starring Lars Eidinger is to open next year’s Berlin International Film Festival, known as Berlinale.
The world premiere of the German-French production “The Light” will be shown on February 13 at the 75th edition of the Berlinale, festival organizers announced on Thursday.
Tykwer, perhaps best-known for directing the film “Run Lola Run” and the hit German television show “Babylon Berlin,” is one of the most renowned contemporary German directors and also enjoys an international reputation.
He has twice previously opened the Berlinale, in 2002 with “Heaven” (starring Cate Blanchett and Giovanni Ribisi) and in 2009 with “The International” (starring Clive Owen and Naomi Watts).
“The Light” is about the everyday life of a dysfunctional family whose fate is fundamentally changed by the arrival of a housekeeper from Syria. Actress Nicolette Krebitz co-stars alongside Eidinger.
“We knew as soon as we saw Das Licht (The Light) that we wanted to have it open the 75th Berlinale,” Berlinale Festival Director Tricia Tuttle said in a press release. “Tom Tykwer finds beauty and joy in our often fractured and challenging world, and magically captures the essence of our modern life on screen.”
The festival is scheduled to run from February 13 to 23. US film director Todd Haynes will lead the festival jury.
Further details of the festival programme are due to be presented in January.
