Berlin Calling to have independent North American premiere separate from TIFF

Berlin Calling to have independent North American premiere separate from TIFF

5 September, 2008 | 2.54PM

• Written by: Amanda Connon-Unda
• Filed under: Music News: berlin calling, paul kalkbrenner

What a shock! After successful premieres at both the Lacarno International Film Festival and the Hamburg Film Festival this summer, on Sunday, September 7th the film Berlin Calling will be have its North American premiere in a parallel independent screening at the same time that the TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival) takes place.

However, much to the surprise of people who’ve had the pleasure of pre-screening the film (myself included), Berlin Calling was not selected to be part of the official TIFF.

Among all of the top ranking new and sometimes previously award-winning films that make it to the TIFF drawing board, it’s a very tough selection process that the films go through before they arrive on the official TIFF program.

And audiences from Toronto and the international film industry flock to see films and film stars each year - This year, for example, Brad Pitt and George Clooney who are in the new Coen brothers’ film “Burn After Reading”; Keira Knightley who is in “The Duchess”; and Julianne Moore and Mark Ruffalo who are in “Blindness” (a film based on a novel by José Saramago).

Although Berlin Calling’s production company, Beta Cinema, had its other four new films selected to be officially screened, it is a real mystery as to why Berlin Calling was not selected.

Some pre-viewers speculated that the instances of drug use (perhaps it could be perceived by some naysayers as the glamorization of it) could be the reason for it not winding up at the TIFF.  But that theory does not hold up too well considering there have been other very controversial and heavy topics portrayed in TIFF films over the years, and TIFF audiences generally expect that films will push the limits of the mainstream - very predictable and formulaic sensationalist - Hollywood movie experience.

Still other speculators wondered whether Berlin Calling was not chosen due to TIFF’s film capacity / program issues and politics, and maybe homage was being paid to more senior or avant-garde directors of the international film world. 

The really good news for Berlin Calling, however, is that it is an excellent film and Toronto audiences will still have a chance to see it.

That’s thanks to the good techno enthusiasts and creative entrepreneurs Jeremy K and Alex M at Xanuradio and Platform Events, who are organizing an independent screening at the Royal Cinema (which is normally a repertory movie theatre) on Sunday, September 7th at 7 PM.

The film director, Hannes Stohr, who is also the director of ‘One Day in Europe’ and ‘Berlin is in Germany’, and recording artist and DJ Paul Kalkbrenner, who is the protagonist named Ikarus in the film, will both be in attendance to answer audience questions after the film.

Then, audience members will be invited to attend the after party which will feature Paul Kalkbrenner performing live at the TIFF after-hours hotspot, the Drake Hotel (which will serve alcohol until 4 AM during TIFF week).

As Jeremy K commented, “This movie shows the reality of life as touring techno DJ and life in Berlin .. the techno mecca of the world today. This is the type of movie that will not come to Toronto every year and we are happy to have it shown in the Royal Theatre, which boasts 5.1 surround sound capabilities.”

In addition to the Toronto screening, there will be a screening in Montreal on Monday September 15th at Cinema du Parc (3575, av. du Parc, at 7PM).

BERLIN CALLING TICKETS for The Toronto Screening are available online in advance at:
http://www.wantickets.com/affiliates/affiliate_event_detail.asp?id=392&e_id=44612
Tickets can also be purchased at the Royal Theatre at 6 PM on Sunday. 

Techno fans craving some techno BPitch style can check out the after party information at www.xanuradio.com.

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Photos and a review of the Toronto premiere of the film will be posted by yours truly on Beatportal next week.

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