It just has been announced that the movie adaption of Higashino Keigo's novel "Byakuyako" starring Horikita Maki is going to screen at the "61st Berlin International Film Festival" as part of the "Panorama" category.

Next to Cannes and Venice, the Berlin Film Festival is one of the three biggest and most important film festivals in the world. The "Panorama" category always features various works from worldwide directors that are expected to emerge on the global market. Last year Yukisada Isao's "Parade" won the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) Award at the Berlin Film Festival.

This year more than 2,500 movies had once again been nominated for a possible display at the festival. Today the committee has chosen the final 50 that will actually have the chance to be present in Berlin and Japan has made it on the list again with "Byakuyako".

Horikita, who is actually big fan of the original novel as well, was clearly delighted about the happy news. "I'm really excited that 'Byakuyako' has been chosen for Berlin Film Festival now," she said.

Further she added, "It has been the most challenging movie for me so far and I've never been so determined about a project. We've put our heart and soul into this movie and I'm very happy that more people in the world will be able to watch it now."

Director Fukagawa Yoshihiro was completely overwhelmed as well. "I was so excited when I received the letter from Berlin that I myself wondered what's wrong with me. I've looked at my colleagues and tears flooded in my eyes."

In Japan the movie is going to open on January 29th.

Source: eiga.com