Berlin festival to open with Coens' 'True Grit'

[December 09, 2010]  BERLIN (AP) -- Joel and Ethan Coen's new western, "True Grit," has been chosen to open the annual Berlin International Film Festival in February.

Organizers said Wednesday that the festival will kick off on Feb. 10 with the international premiere of the movie -- a remake of a John Wayne classic of the same name from 1969. Its stars include Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon and Josh Brolin.

Festival director Dieter Kosslick said that the Coen brothers "stand for first-rate American independent cinema."

The latest film from the Coens, who presented "The Big Lebowski" in Berlin in 1998, will screen out of competition.

The festival runs from Feb. 10-20.

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Online:

Festival website:
http://www.berlinale.de/en/HomePage.html

[Associated Press]

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