(Berlin) – China’s stylish film noir Black Coal Thin Ice by Diao Yinan about a washed up ex cop investigating a series of grisly murders won the Berlin film festival’s Golden Bear top prize. It’s really hard to believe that this dream has come true which didn’t come true for such a long time Diao said as he accepted the trophy fighting back tears.
The Berlinale Europe’s first major film festival of the year gave its best actress prize to Japan’s Haru Kuroki for her role as a discreet housemaid in wartime Tokyo in Yoji Yamada’s The Little House.
The second of three Chinese films in competition in Berlin Blind Massage (Tui Na) featuring a cast made up in part of amateur blind actors captured a Silver Bear prize for outstanding artistic contribution for cinematographer Zeng Jian.
American films shared the glory with Wes Anderson’s historical caper The Grand Budapest Hotel offering a nostalgic look back at a Europe lost to war claiming the runner up Silver Bear grand jury prize.
