Cinematic magnificence: Halftime at the 42nd Munich
International Film Festival
Hollywood comes to the Isar: halfway through its run, the Munich International Film Festival is thrilling audiences with big names, high-profile premieres, and the ultimate summery vibe. Since its start last Friday, more than 99 films have been screened at twelve venues across the city — and the rest of the program will be just as stellar up until the grand final day of the festival on Sunday.
Gillian Anderson, Stellan Skarsgård, and Paula Beer celebrate their films on the Isar Carpet
Loud applause and a flurry of camera flashes: US actress Gillian Anderson (“The Crown”) and internationally acclaimed Swedish actor Stellan Skarsgård (“Dune,” “Chernobyl”) came to Munich to accept the prestigious CineMerit Award in person. Helge Schneider also delighted the audience with his autobiography in movie form, “The Klimperclown”. A further highlight was Paula Beer (“Undine”) presenting the poignant drama “I’m Not Stiller” at the Deutsches Theater on Tuesday evening. This German actress is in two films currently being screened at the festival. She’ll be on the turquoise Isar Carpet, along with Barbara Auer, Enno Trebs, and the director, for the second time on Saturday, when the festival screens its concluding film, “Miroirs No. 3” by Christian Petzold.
“We’re overwhelmed by the enthusiasm that the audience is expressing toward the festival and the films,” say festival directors Julia Weigl and Christoph Gröner. “The atmosphere in the movie theaters is electrifying. There’s one highlight after another — and there are still five more extraordinary days to come.”
Christoph Gröner and Julia Weigl, the festival’s artistic directors
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