Hollywood stars Matt Damon (53) and Cillian Murphy (47) were the star guests at the opening of the 74th Berlinale that evening. Murphy, who was Oscar-nominated for “Oppenheimer,” stars in the opening film, “Small Things Like These,” an Irish competition entry. Oscar winner Damon is the producer of the work.
Lots of star power in front of the Berlinale Palast
In addition to the two Hollywood stars and jury president Lupita Nyong’o (40), there were, as usual, a lot of German film celebrities on the red carpet on Thursday evening (February 15th). This is how things went Iris Berben (73), Veronica Ferres (58), Heike Makatsch (52), Jella Haase (31), Lars Eidinger (48) and Wim Wenders (78) past the photographers present in front of the Berlinale Palast on Berlin’s Potsdamer Platz. The German model Toni Garrn (31) impressed in an eye-catching, lemon yellow dress.
By the way: Berlinale 2024 – These stars are there and are hoping for a prize.
Also Berlin’s governing mayor Kai Wegner (51) and Minister of State for Culture Claudia Roth (68) didn’t miss the event. The former German national soccer player Philipp Lahm (40) appeared with his wife Claudia.
German stars are taking a stand against the right
After there was a controversy in the run-up to the film festival about the invitation and subsequent disinvitation of AfD politicians, German filmmakers sent a clear signal against the right on the red carpet. Jella Haase, Katja Riemann (60) and other actresses called out “Defend Democracy” (German: “Defend democracy”) and held smartphone lights in the air. The Berlinale itself organized the event.
Model Papis Loveday (47) and actress Pheline Roggan (42) also showed up at the event with a protest sign “No Racism! No AfD!” (German: “No to racism! No to the AfD!”) stood.
This year the Berlinale will take place from February 15th to 25th. In the festival’s competition, 20 films from 30 countries compete Golden and the Silver Bear.