French Revolution Drama to Open Berlin Film Fest

A drama set around the French Revolution starring German-born Hollywood actress Diane Kruger as Marie Antoinette will open next month's Berlin film festival, organizers said Wednesday.

"Les Adieux a la reine" (Farewell My Queen) by French director Benoit Jacquot will kick off the 62nd edition of the Berlinale, as the event is known, on February 9, the festival said in a statement.

The period drama features Kruger, previously seen in "Inglourious Basterds", Lea Seydoux, who appeared in last year's Woody Allenhit "Midnight in Paris", and Virginie Ledoyen, best known to international audiences for her turn in "The Beach" with Leonardo DiCaprio.

"In a screen adaptation of Chantal Thomas' prize-winning novel of the same name, French director Benoit Jacquot portrays the first days of the French Revolution from the perspective of the servants at Versailles," the festival said.

"With ironic overtones, a historical drama unfolds that also draws parallels to the present."

The French-Spanish co-production will appear in competition for the festival's prestigious Golden Bear top prize, to be awarded February 18 before the event wraps up the following day.

British director Mike Leigh will chair the jury while two-time Oscar winner Meryl Streep will accept an honorary Golden Bear.