GERMANY: “True Grit,” the Coen brothers’ remake of the western originally starring John Wayne, opens the 11-day Berlinale International Film Festival in Berlin on Thursday. Jeff Bridges, one of its stars, is expected to walk the glitzy red carpet along with other well-known stars, such as Matt Damon, Demi Moore and Ralph Fiennes.
Contending for this year’s Golden Bear and Silver Bears in the major competition are about 16 big-screen international films. Other categories include independent and art-house films, films for younger generations, German films, experimental forms and other diverse cinema forms.
Tickets for films and other events are available online or at participating venues; prices range from 8 to 12 euros. Find the program at berlinale.de/en.
SPAIN: Considered second only to Rio de Janeiro’s vibrant celebrations when it comes to carnival festivities, Tenerife de Santa Cruz in the Canary Islands will open its monthlong extravaganza Tuesday with a series of competitions. For the first two weeks of the carnival season, which continues through March 13, organizations battle in a variety of music and dance categories.
On March 4, the real party begins, with a series of parades, performances by samba bands, street parties, costumes, musical events and fireworks. See the program at www.carnavaltenerife.es (in Spanish).
