Berlin
has always been a place for controversy,
but when the film was first shown at the
festival in 1979, one of the biggest incidents
of its history resulted when the Soviet
delegation walked out in protest against
the way the film portrayed the people
of Vietnam.
The
ensuing domino effect led to the walk-outs
of the Cubans, East Germans, Bulgarians,
Poles and Czechoslovakians, and two members
of the
jury resigned in sympathy.
This
year should hopefully see a rather more
celebratory reception.
Andrew
Horn
