Posted: Fri., Nov. 28, 2008, 8:09am PT

'The International' to open Berlinale

Tykwer film stars Clive Owen, Naomi Watts

'The International'

Clive Owen starrer 'The International,' about the funding of war and terror, will open Berlin.

German helmer Tom Tykwer’s “The International,” starring Clive Owen and Naomi Watts, will open the 59th Berlin Film Festival on Feb. 5.

The world preem of Tykwer’s action thriller, tracing the criminal business transactions that finance war and terror, will screen out of competition.

Despite its title, pic is a predominantly German production, filmed at Babelsberg and partially funded by the German Federal Film Fund; German thesp Armin Mueller-Stahl has a prominent role.

Berlinale topper Dieter Kosslick, a former film fund exec in Germany, is a cheerleader for local productions.

Last year’s Berlinale was opened by Martin Scorsese’s documentary about the Rolling Stones, “Shine a Light.”

Seven years ago Tykwer’s poorly received “Heaven,” about a fictional terror attack in Italy, opened the fest with a thud just five months after the 9/11 attacks in the U.S.

Berlinale runs Feb. 5-15.




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