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lifestyle MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2015 MOVIES BIFF ‘Queen ‘Birdman’ bests ‘Boyhood’ of the Desert’ on the road to the Oscars is no history lesson he long takes of Alejandro Inarritu’s In a special segment, Steven Spielberg also fter opening with an Arctic adventure, the “Birdman” won out over the long pro- announced that starting in 2016, the DGA Berlin International Film Festival heated up duction of Richard Linklater’s will award a prize for first-time feature film Friday with “Queen of the Desert,” a film about T A “Boyhood” at the Directors Guild Awards directors. “If we were to travel back in our British diplomat and spy Gertrude Bell starring Nicole Saturday. Both formally ambitious in very legacy, we might have honored Orson Kidman and James Franco. The film about Bell, who different ways, “Boyhood” and “Birdman” Welles for his masterpiece ‘Citizen Kane’ or played a key role in reshaping the Middle East during have been neck-in-neck throughout the Sidney Lumet for ‘12 Angry Men,’” said the early 20th century, comes at a time of renewed awards race. But after dominating the act- Spielberg. “Our hope is this new award will turmoil in the region. But director Werner Herzog ing and producing guild awards, Inarritu’s shine a light on up-and-coming voices.” insists it’s just a story, not a history lesson, and doesn’t tale about a washed-up actor looking for The solid predictive track record of the attempt to criticize those who carved up the Middle some authenticity on the New York stage DGAs might suggest that there was a cut- East by drawing lines in the sand 100 years ago. appears to have the edge in the lead up to throat air to the proceedings, and yet even The borders that were drawn - such as those the Oscars. among the feature film nominees the spirit between present-day Syria and Iraq - “had a certain There are no sure things when it comes of the evening was celebratory and retro- validity, in particular, when we look at today’s to Hollywood awards, but a DGA win at spective. Prior to his win, Inarritu spoke of attempts to create an Islamic State that has no borders least makes Inarritu’s ascent to Oscar domi- his fascination with Linklater and anymore and has Sharia law in its strictest form,” nance nearly inevitable. The guild dispens- Anderson’s choices in their films and the Herzog told reporters. The German director’s refusal to es awards to directors in TV and movie cat- privilege of getting to know his fellow get too deeply into Britain and France’s colonial egories, and only seven times in the history nominees. Linklater took the peer rever- involvement in the Middle East apparently extended of the DGAs has a director not gone on to ence even further. “I love the traditions and to his leading star. win the Academy Award. “If this is consid- the history of the DGA,” said Linklater in his “I tried to get Werner to give me a history lesson ered a great film, it has nothing to do with nominees speech. He told the audience and he was like ‘Nicole, this is too extensive, I cannot me,” Inarritu said. “It is a miracle.” In addition that he was advised when he received his do this,’” Kidman said. At least cinema goers may come to Linklater, Inarritu beat out feature film DGA card to get his heroes to sign it, not away remembering Bell, who wandered across the nominees Wes Anderson (“The Grand just three friends. Linklater proudly said deserts seeking out tribal leaders and ancient artifacts Budapest Hotel”), Morten Tyldum (“The Recipient of the Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film award that the signatures on his card are Francis at a time when few Westerners made any attempts to Imitation Game”) and Clint Eastwood Alejandro G Inarritu (Birdman) and Steven Spielberg pose in the press room at the Ford Coppola, Peter Bogdanovich and understand the Arabs. “I knew nothing about her. (“American Sniper”) to win the film direct- 67th Annual Directors Guild Awards. —AFP Robert Altman. Public nods to creative That’s partly the reason I wanted to make the film, ing trophy. They’ll face off again Feb 22 for 10 categories. Winners included Jill women get up to bat, they do pretty well.” idols didn’t stop with Linklater, though. because I wanted people to know about her,” said the best director Oscar, with the exception Soloway for the TV comedy “Transparent,” Other winners were Anthony B Sacco for Backstage Inarritu told reporters that he Kidman. “We talk about Laurence of Arabia, but we’ve of Eastwood, who was not nominated. Lisa Cholodenko for the TV movie/minis- the reality series “The Chair,” Jonathan was wearing Billy Wilder’s tie and Raymond never heard of Gertrude Bell.” Instead, “Foxcatcher” filmmaker Bennett eries “Olive Kitteridge,” Laura Poitras for the Judge for the children’s program “100 Carver’s shirt, a partial nod to the promi- Miller is up for that honor at the Academy documentary “Citizenfour” and Lesli Linka Things to Do Before High School,” Glenn nence of Carver’s short story “What We Talk Blast from the past Awards. While the feature film category Glatter for the TV drama “Homeland.” “It’s Weiss for the 68th annual Tony Awards, About When We Talk About Love” in Andrew Haigh’s film “45 Years,” which premieres in was undeniably male-dominated, women been a good night for gals,” said Linka Dave Diomedi for “The Tonight Show” and “Birdman.” “I’m just a humble guy wearing Berlin, examines what happens when an uninvited took the top prize in four of the evening’s Glatter backstage. “I think when you see Nicolai Fuglsig for a Guinness commercial. those masters,” he said. — AP guest turns up and threatens to spoil a party - even a guest long dead. Geoff and Kate Mercer, played by Tom Courtenay and Charlotte Rampling, are preparing for their 45th wedding anniversary when Geoff learns Academy Sci-Tech Awards: that the body of his former girlfriend, who died in the Swiss Alps 50 years ago, has been found in the thaw- ing ice. Her memory causes Geoff to re-examine his Women make a stand past and romanticize the life he never had. In real life, Rampling makes sure to avoid lecturing younger col- leagues about how to lead their lives. “I never give ver the years, the Academy’s Scientific & Technical of Merit went to Larry Hornbeck for the invention of the digital advice - until I’m asked for it,” she said. Awards banquet has been called many things: warm, micro-mirrors that form the heart of DLP cinema projectors. One person who won’t be showing up at the 65th Ointimate, classy and, at its best, emotional. But one Hornbeck said “My father taught me by example to ask the Berlinale is Jafar Panahi, the Iranian director of “Taxi,” description that has never been associated with the Sci-Techs is question ‘Why?’ and go out and find the answer.” He added “I which is also competing for the festival’s Golden Bear “a hoot.” Until tonight that is. For 2015 the Sci-Techs traded a humbly accept this award on behalf of every engineer who ever top prize this year. Iranian authorities have forbidden smidgen of elegance for a few megawatts of electricity, much of had a dream of doing anything.” Panahi from leaving the country since 2010. So, it provided by Margot Robbie. Robbie co-hosted the presenta- The second Oscar and final award of the night went to instead, he takes viewers on a series of taxi rides tion with Miles Teller, and the pair bantered like a comedy team. sound expert David Gray, the Gordon E Sawyer honoree. Gray through the Iranian capital of Tehran in his film. “It is a Both had moments to shine and each got laughs, but it was warned the audience he would speak at some length, saying kind of humor, it is not a sad movie,” said festival Robbie who stole the show, bringing a loose charm and infec- “This is only going to happen to me once, so I’m going to take director Dieter Kosslick. “There is a lot of humor, but tious energy to her hosting duties. She turned what could have advantage.” He recalled his time in the 1970s as a roadie for of course they tackle some problems that you can been a laborious litany of technical jargon into a lively and Steely Dan, the Kinks and Frank Zappa, recalling he once built have in Iran. Jafar himself is the cab driver, so you sometimes uproarious evening. Zappa a synthesizer to make a guitar sound like a French horn. see him. And actually you see him in a good mood, Some 59 individuals were honored at the banquet. One of “It was horrible,” he said. “It was so stupid... But when we added which is really good.” The festival has kept an empty the early presentations showed why the Sci-Techs can be about 20 percent distortion, the result was magical.” chair for Panahi ever since his government refused endearing: As honoree Steven Tiffen stepped up to accept an him permission to attend four years ago. “We will Award of Commendation, a voice shouted “That’s my dad!” A love of film keep this until the moment that he comes. Maybe Tiffen smiled and said “That’s my son,” adding “Third generation Gray said he had a love for the film industry and especially a he will take a taxi,” said Kosslick.

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