Just because Universal is releasing the Coen Brothers’ latest film in February doesn’t mean that the film won’t get a chance to play at a festival. In fact, Hail, Caesar! will open the 66th annual Berlin International Film Festival.
Hail, Caesar! is Joel and Ethan Coen’s love letter to the Golden Age of Hollywood, taking place during the 1950s.
It stars Josh Brolin as a Hollywood fixer who searches for a missing big star, played by George Clooney. Along the way, we meet at all-star cast in various roles inspired by Old Hollywood stars. Channing Tatum is a Gene Kelly-style dancer and Scarlett Johansson's role will remind many of Esther Williams.
Other members of the all-star cast include Jonah Hill, Tilda Swinton, Frances McDormand, Dolph Lundgren, Ralph Fiennes and Emily Beecham.
“It’s wonderful that Joel and Ethan Coen are once again opening the Berlinale. Their humour, unique characters and fantastic narrative skill are guaranteed to thrill the audience. Hail, Caesar! is the perfect start for the 2016 Berlinale,” Festival Director Dieter Kosslick said in a statement.
The Coens have had a presence in Berlin before. Their cult comedy The Big Lebowski screened at the 1998 festival in competition and True Grit opened the 2011 festival. The brothers have also won Oscars for Fargo and No Country For Old Men. Hail, Caesar! is their first film since 2013’s Inside Llewyn Davis.
Just because Hail, Caesar! will open in February doesn’t mean that the film’s chances during the 2016 awards season are hurt. For example, Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel premiered in Berlin and it went on to win four Oscars.
Hail, Caesar! opens on Feb. 5 and the Berlinale runs from Feb. 11-21.