German-Turkish Filmmaker Wins in Berlin

For the first time in 18 years, a German film took home the Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival: earlier today, the jury, presided over by Frances McDormand, awarded its top prize to Fatih Akin's "Gegen die Wand" (Head-On), a film about second-generation Turkish immigrants. The Silver Bear of the jury went to "El Abrazo Partido" (Lost Embrace) by Daniel Burman. Catalina Sandino Moreno and Charlize Theron tied for Best Actress and Kim Ki-Duk was awarded the prize for Best Director for "Samaria" (Samaritan Girl). The cast of Björn Runge's "Om Jag Vander Mig Om" (Daybreak) won for Outstanding Artistic Contribution.

The 54th Berlin Film Festival concludes tomorrow. You can find the complete list of awards at the official site, and David Hudson of GreenCine Daily has in-depth coverage of the festival.