Wong Kar Wai Named Jury President for 2013 Berlin Film Festival

Chinese director Wong Kar Wai will be the Jury President of the 63rd Berlin International Film Festival. The director, who has won many international awards, is one of the most important representatives of world cinema. Wong Kar Wai’s unique and extraordinary style has inspired countless filmmakers and made him a cult figure of contemporary auteur cinema.

Wong Kar Wai was born in Shanghai and grew up in Hong Kong. He made his directorial debut in 1988 with As Tears Go By. His work Days of Being Wild, which screened in the Berlinale Forum in 1991, was followed in 1994 by Chungking Express, the film with which Wong Kar Wai achieved his international breakthrough. He again demonstrated his remarkable talent in his Berlinale contribution Fallen Angels (Forum,1996). In 1997 he won the Award for Best Director in Cannes for Happy Together. He captivated still another generation of European moviegoers with the nostalgic love story In the Mood for Love (2000), which received a César in 2001, as well as with his next film, 2046, which won a European Film Award for Best Non-European Film in 2004. My Blueberry Nights (2007) was the first film that Wong Kar Wai shot in the USA and cast with Hollywood stars.

Wong Kar Wai is currently working on The Grandmasters, which features Tony Leung and Ziyi Zhang in the leads.

“Wong Kar Wai is one of the most celebrated filmmakers of our time. His distinctive signature and the poetry of his works have fascinated all of us. For him to become jury president, is a wish come true. Since the 1980’s, the Berlinale has established itself as a platform for contemporary Chinese cinema, which is another reason why we are greatly honoured that Wong Kar Wai will be presiding the International Jury 2013,” says Berlinale Director Dieter Kosslick.

“I am truly honoured by Dieter’s invite. I am also very happy to return to Berlin and see the latest work of filmmakers from all over the world. It would be a fulfilling experience for any cineaste,” comments Wong Kar Wai.