The 48th annual Berlin International Film Festival was held from 11 to 22 February 1998. The festival opened with the Irish film The Boxer by Jim Sheridan. Francis Ford Coppola's The Rainmaker was selected as the closing night film.
The Golden Bear was awarded to Central Station directed by Walter Salles. The retrospective was dedicated to Siodmak Bros., titled Siodmak Bros. Berlin – London – Paris – Hollywood was shown at the festival.
Juries
The following people were announced as being on the jury for the festival: Ben Kingsley, British actor - Jury President Senta Berger, Austrian actress and producer Li Cheuk-to, artistic director of the Hong Kong International Film Festival Leslie Cheung, Hong Kong actor and musician Héctor Olivera, Argentinian filmmaker Helmut Dietl, German filmmaker Brigitte Roüan, French filmmaker and actress Annette Insdorf, French producer Maya Turovskaya, Ukrainian historian and film critic Maurizio Nichetti, Italian actor, filmmaker and producer Michael Williams-Jones, British president of Miramax Films
Official Sections
Main Competition The following films were for the main competition: English title Original title Director(s) CountryBarbara Nils MalmrosDenmark, Faroe IslandsThe Big Lebowski Joel CoenUnited States, United KingdomThe Big MamboDas Mambospiel Michael GwisdekGermanyThe Boxer (opening film) Jim SheridanUnited States, IrelandThe Boys Rowan WoodsAustraliaThe Butcher Boy Neil JordanUnited States, IrelandCentral Station Central do BrasilWalter SallesBrazil, FranceThe Commissioner George SluizerUnited Kingdom, United States, France, Germany, BelgiumCountry of the DeafСтрана глухих Valery TodorovskyRussia, FranceGirls' Night Nick HurranUnited KingdomGood Will Hunting Gus Van SantUnited StatesHold You Tight愈快樂愈墮落 Stanley KwanHong KongI Want You Michael WinterbottomUnited KingdomJackie Brown Quentin TarantinoUnited StatesLeft Luggage Jeroen KrabbéUnited States, Netherlands, Belgium, United KingdomThe Naked EyeLa mirada del otro Vicente ArandaSpainThe Perfect GuyJeanne et le Garçon formidable Olivier Ducastel, Jacques MartineauFranceSada 戯作・阿部定の生涯Nobuhiko ObayashiJapanSame Old SongOn connaît la chansonAlain ResnaisFrance, United Kingdom, SwitzerlandThe Sound of One Hand Clapping Richard FlanaganAustraliaSweet Degeneration放浪 Lin Cheng-shengTaiwanThe Best ManIl testimone dello sposo Pupi AvatiItalyToo Much (Little) LoveTrop (peu) d'amour Jacques DoillonFranceWag the Dog Barry LevinsonUnited StatesXiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl 天浴Joan ChenHong Kong, United States, Taiwan
Official Awards
Main Competition The following prizes were awarded by the Jury: Golden Bear: Central Station by Walter Salles Silver Bear Special Jury Prize: Wag the Dog by Barry Levinson Silver Bear for Best Director: Neil Jordan for The Butcher Boy Silver Bear for Best Actress: Fernanda Montenegro for Central Station Silver Bear for Best Actor: Samuel L. Jackson for Jackie Brown Silver Bear for an Outstanding Single Achievement: Matt Damon for Good Will Hunting Silver Bear for an outstanding Artistic Contribution: Alain Resnais for Same Old Song Alfred Bauer Prize: Hold You Tight by Stanley Kwan Honourable Mention: Sławomir Idziak for I Want You Isabella Rossellini for Left Luggage Eamonn Owens for The Butcher Boy
Honorary Golden Bear Catherine Deneuve
Berlinale Camera Carmelo Romero Curt Siodmak
Independent Awards
Blue Angel Award Left Luggage by Jeroen Krabbé
FIPRESCI Award Sada by Nobuhiko Obayashi
References
External links 48th Berlin International Film Festival 1998 1998 Berlin International Film Festival Berlin International Film Festival:1998 at Internet Movie Database