The latest film by Wong Kar Wai, “The Grand Master,” an epic costume film inspired by the life of Kung Fu master Ip Man, will open the 63rd Berlin International Film Festival which is to take place during February 7-17.

Wong Kar Wai is also this year’s president of the jury, his film therefore will be presented out of competition.

“It is a special honour for us to open the 2013 Berlinale with the presentation of the newest film by this year’s jury president, Wong Kar Wai. With The Grandmaster, Kar Wai has added a new and exciting facet to his body of works, and created an artful, visually powerful genre film,” says festival director Dieter Kosslick.

Kar Wai commented that, “this is a dream project on which I’ve worked for many years and I am really happy to present it at Berlin. I was already very anxious to return to Berlin as president of the International Jury, but to also see “The Grand Master” presented here makes it even more special.”

Fest will be the film’s international premiere, actors Tony Leung (“In the Mood for Love”) and Gong Li (“Farewell My Concubine,” “Crouching tiger hidden dragon”) are expected to attend in support of it.

In 2012 the Golden Bear was won by the Taviani Brothers for “Caesar must die,” a free adaptation of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar performed by inmates at a high security area.

READ:

A.J.Goldmann’s review of “Cesar Must Die”

A profile of Berlinale programmer Dieter Kosslick by Filmfestivaltoday