THE CIRCUIT: BERLIN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

Tom Tykwer's thriller "The International" will open the 59th Berlin International Film Festival on Febuary 5. 

Clive Owen stars as an Interpol agent investigating the war crimes activity of one of the world's largest banks.

Pic was shot on location in Berlin, New York, Istanbul and Milan, and was funded, in part, by the German Federal Film Fund (DFFF).

"The International" is the second Berlin opener for Tykwer whose "Heaven" opened the fest in 2002.

Columbia Pics will release it on February 13. 

Film Movement has nadded all North American rights to Fernando Eimbcke's dramedy "Lake Tahoe" for a 2009 theatrical release.  Pic has won numerous awards on the fest circuit, including the FIPRESCI Award at the Berlin Intl. Film Festival.

“We waited four years to see what the original voice that came through in “Duck Season” (Temporada de Patos) had in store for us, and Fernando did not disappoint," said Adley Gartenstein, President of Film Movement.

Launched in 2003, Film Movement offers day-and-date releasing of award-winning film in theaters and to premium subscribers through its DVD of the month club.

Art film distrib Janus and the Criterion Collection have nabbed North American theatrical and home vid rights to Götz Spielmann's "Revanche," ahead of its AFI FEST unspooling on November 1. 

In an unusual move, Janus will release the pic to theaters in March 2009 followed by a DVD rollout via sister company Criterion.

Spielmann's dramatic thriller preemed at the 2008 Berlin Intl. Film Festival and is Austria's foreign film Oscar entry.

Though well known for its massive classic film library, Janus hasn't released a first-run film in 30 years.  Janus topper Peter Becker saw "Revanche" at the 2008 Telluride film fest and began discussions with Spielmann.

"It was a completely unusual gesture because acquiring first-run films is not something we're going to be doing on an ongoing basis," said Becker. "There are lots of good people out there acquiring movies. This came from a groundswell of support from my staff."

"It's one of the most visually commanding films," he continued. "Speilmann directs with such strength.  I think there will be broad appeal for this film."

Becker said his staff are well positioned to release the new pic through existing relationships with arthouses that rely on Janus for their repertory calendar.  They distribute approximately 10 films a year.

Founded in 1956, U.S. cinephiles know the ubiquitous Janus Films logo as their introduction to such foreign helmers as Ingmar Bergman, François Truffaut, Federico Fellini, and Akira Kurosawa. 

"Revanche" screens at AFI FEST on November 1 and 2.  Screening info here.

Peter Debruge contributed to this story.

Ed Meza reports that the Berlin Film Festival has doubled the accreditation price from 50 Euros ($64) to $128.

Organizers have said the new price is in line with that of other A-list festivals, noting that some charge even more. The fest said costs have risen for the services it provides and pointed to the fact that many screenings are now using digital projection technology.

The European Film Market, which has outgrown the Martin-Gropius-Bau, is expanding into the Marriott Hotel on Potsdamer Platz.

The additional space will concentrate on two floors.  Stands and three screening rooms will be on the first floor while the new EFM Marriott Offices will occupy the second.  They'll be a cafe, lounge and internet stations.  A shuttle will fairy bleary-eyed market goers between both locations.