Notes from the Editor
by Becky Tan

Some Berlinale Statistics

The 58th Berlinale showed 383 films in 1256 screenings. Worldwide it is the film festival most frequented by the general public. In 11 days more than 430,000 people went to these movies and purchased 230,000 tickets, not counting the famous last day during which many of the winning films were repeated for the general public. The three most popular films with the general public were Shine a Light, a documentary by Martin Scorsese about the Rolling Stones, Filth and Wisdom directed by Madonna, and Om Shanti Om, a Bollywood film staring Indian heartthrob Shah Rukh Khan. (This film was sold out in eight minutes, causing extra showings to be offered, which also sold out instantaneously.) Completely booked out as well were films for young people under the heading “Generation 14plus.” Twenty thousand accredited film people came to the city from 125 countries. We were three of the officially accredited 4200 journalists. You can be there next year: February 5-15, 2009. We can help you maneuver the festival to your best advantage. Ask for our handout: “Everybody’s Berlinale.”