Coriolanus Now In Competition at Berlinale + Fiennes Joins Berlinale Talent Campus Panel

http://entertainmentalley.com/2011/01/27/coriolanus-now-in-competition-at-berlinale-fiennes-joins-berlinale-talent-campus-panel/

Coriolanus Now In Competition at Berlinale + Fiennes Joins Berlinale Talent Campus Panel
January 27th, 2011 | Posted by Nezi

Berlinale - February 10 - 20
As I reported earlier, Ralph Fiennes will be premiering his directorial debut, Coriolanus, at Berlinale, the Berlin International Film Festival. The movie, based on Shakespeare’s tragedy of the same name, was originally slated as an out of competition selection at the festival, but has now joined 15 other films in competition for Berlinale’s highest honor, the Golden Bear award.

For Coriolanus, Fiennes pulled double-duty as actor and director, with him playing the title role of Caius Martius Coriolanus. His character was once the hero of his country, but when his views clash with the politicians of his country, and with his mother, Volumnia (Vanessa Redgrave), he ends up banished. The soldier then allies with the enemy of his country, Tullus Aufidius (Gerard Butler). When they return to attack his country, Coriolanus’ mother Volumnia appeals to him to stop. When Coriolanus finally bows to his mothers wishes, Aufidius feels betrayed and attempts to destroy him.


The rest of the fantastic cast Fiennes lined up for his first directorial effort are Brian Cox, James Nesbitt, and Jessica Chastain.

With Coriolanus in competition one would expect Ralph Fiennes to be in Berlin for the festival. He will be, but he’s not just going to be waiting around. It was just announced that Fiennes will take part in the Berlinale Talent Campus, which is a five-day film school that runs the same week in conjunction with Berlinale Festival. Fiennes will participate in an “In the Limelight” session with Hungarian filmmaker István Szabó, where they will “give insights into the mutual commitment between directors and actors during challenging projects.” Singer Harry Belafonte and actress Isabella Rossellini will each have their own “In the Limelight” session during the Talent Campus as well.

The 61st edition of Berlinale runs February 10–20 this year. Berlinale Talent Campus runs February 12-17.

Fiennes is currently filming David Hare’s Page Eight, a political thriller where he will play the Prime Minister. Page Eight also stars Bill Nighy and Rachel Weisz. The movie will air on Britain’s BBC Two later this year.