Berlinale 2013: Day 6

Day 6. Everyone is quite tired already, but also full of expectation. The day started with Jafar Panahi's "Parde" which was a huge disappointment. Perhaps I didn't understand it, but then I definitely wasn't the only one. This was also the first and only time during the festival when someone booed, and suring a press screening! But sadly my opinion was largely the same. The story is about a writer who comes to a secluded villa close to the beach with his beloved dog. Apparently there is a bad on having pet dogs in Iran, and so as the writer wants to save his best friend from getting shot out, he decided to spend his days in hiding. This was a rather interesting and intriguing beginning to a rather dull story, so I'm really amazed at the incentives that drove Dieter Kosslick to put this film in the competition.

Best dressed in 2012

It comes as no surprise that the Brits are called most fashionable in the world. It is really extremely difficult to find so stylish yet not over-dressed men anywhere else in the world. The trends of the season come from the Isles, and this is just a statement of facts. The 50 best dressed males are the essence of fashion, style and well-being. Best dressed, but also best groomed, and effortlessly. Below my favourite looks from Britain, there are some from the rest of the world, but admit it - they're anyway rather average. The list was prepared by GQ British Edition, one of the busiest magazine editions ever. Anywhere they turn, a new style is born.
The Top50 can be found here, but I've only chosen a few looks that I find particularly interesting. Not to mention the presenters.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson
A part of the year was his, due to his interpretation of Wronsky in "Anna Karenina." There, sporting a uniform, here, a smart suit. Both versions worth a nod.

"Anna Karenina" in the mood for a classic

Joe Wright became a specialist in film adaptations of classic novels, as he previously filmed Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice" with Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen and Ian McEwan's "Atonement" with Knightley and James McAvoy. He usually works with the same actors, and so he gets to know them really well. With Leo Tolstoy's "Anna Karenina" the situation he got himself into was also as difficult. 

People reading the classics already have images in mind, particularly if there already were countless film adaptations, like the Greta Garbo 1930s version, or the one with Vivien Leigh, both titans of acting. But Wright had Tom Stoppard in his team, and they both did really well there. I love Jude Law as Karenin, but can't help but wonder how would he play Wronski. Some say that at the age of 40, he's just too old. Oh well. I just don't think that Aaron Taylor-Johnson has enough stomach and charisma to fit in the boots. When acting is concerned, I really like Matthew Macfadyen, lovely Alicia Vikander as Kitty, and Domhnall Gleeson as Lewin. 

There are some breath-taking scenes in the film, the costumes and set design are marvellous. Simply for these reasons it's really worth seeing.
For my review in Polish go to Filmnews. (or scroll down)

What's On - London West End

London West End is one of the two (next to Broadway) most vibrant areas densely packed with theatres. Each season brings surprises, each brings new challenges, but also each brings marvels. This is a subjective guide to what might be soon the most discussed theatrical event in Europe. A guide to West End's next season's premieres.