BEIJING, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- The 58th Berlin Film Festival opened Thursday evening with a gala featuring the world premiere of Oscar-winning director Martin Scorsese's concert movie about the legendary pop group Rolling Stones.

(From left to right) Berlinale Jury members Shu Qi, Jury President Costa-Gavras and Diane Kruger arrive at the 58th International Film Festival Berlinale in Berlin on Thursday, Feb.7, 2008. The 58th Berlinale, one of the world's most prestigious film festivals, will run from February 7 to 17 in the German capital.   (Xinhua/AFP Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    Scorsese and Stones Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts and Ron Wood are in Berlin to attend this big event. This also marked the first time the Berlin Film Festival being opened with a documentary film.

    "Films with music or musicians at their center are the most important ingredient of this year's festival," said Berlinale director Dieter Kosslick said.

    Apart from Scorsese's documentary, the queen of pop Madonna's directorial film debut, Filth and Wisdom, will also have its premiere at the festival.

    During the 10-day film festival, one of the world's top three of its kind, about 400 films are to be screened in different sections.

    One year after Tuya's Marriage crowned with coveted Golden Bear award, this year's competition section again features two Chinese films: Wang Xiaoshuai's Zuo You (In Love We Trust) and Hong Kong director Johnnie To's Sparrow (Man Jeuk).

    Japanese director Yoji Yamada's Kabei and South Korean director Hong Sangsoo's Bam gua Nat are also among the Asian lineup contending the top award.

Famed actress of Chinese Taiwan Shu Qi smiles during the opening ceremony of The 58th Berlin Film Festival in Berlin, capital of Germany, Feb. 7, 2008. The annual film festival opened Thursday evening with a gala featuring the world premiere of Oscar-winning director Martin Scorsese's concert movie about the legendary pop group Rolling Stones.   (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling) Photo Gallery>>>

    The jury which will announce the winners at a ceremony on February 16 will be presided by Greek-born director Constantin Costa-Gavras, and include famed Taiwanese actress Shu Qi.

Berlin Film Festival suffers last-minute withdrawal

    BERLIN, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- The Berlin Film Festival has suffered the withdrawal of two jury members just hours before its opening on Thursday evening.

    "With profound regret, Susanne Bier and Sandrine Bonnaire have announced at the last moment they will be unable to participate on the jury," said Berlinale organizers on Thursday.

    Danish director Susanne Bier said she is leaving for the United States immediately due to unforeseen circumstances related to her next film. Full story

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