The 73^rd Berlin International Film Festival is set to unspool from 16-26 February, and it has just been announced that it will kick off with the world premiere of the romantic comedy She Came to Me, written and directed by US helmer Rebecca Miller. The Berlinale Special Gala title features a number of international stars, such as Peter Dinklage, Marisa Tomei, Joanna Kulig, Brian d’Arcy James and Anne Hathaway.

Berlinale directors Mariëtte Rissenbeek and Carlo Chatrian commented: “We are very pleased to open this edition of the festival with an irresistible comedy that builds upon the everyday conflicts of Western society. The characters, conceived by Rebecca Miller and incarnated by fantastic actors, choose to follow the inspiration of the moment instead of being led by societal dictates. Like a Pre-Code Hollywood film, She Came to Me is a magical ode to the freedom of expression.”

Set in the romantic, bustling metropolis of New York City, the film is a comedy about love in all its forms and weaves together the tales of its characters. Composer Steven Lauddem (Dinklage) is suffering from a creative block and is unable to finish the score for his big comeback opera. At the behest of his wife, Patricia (Hathaway), formerly his therapist, he sets out in search of inspiration. What he discovers is much more than he bargained for or imagined.

It should be noted that Miller has been to the Berlinale before, in 2016, with her film Maggie’s Plan screening in Panorama, while her previous movie The Private Lives of Pippa Lee was shown in competition in 2009.

She Came to Me is a US production, staged by Damon Cardasis, Pamela Koffler, Christine Vachon, Rebecca Miller, Len Blavatnik and Anne Hathaway, with sales handled by Protagonist Pictures. CAA is representing it for North America. The film’s official premiere will take place in the Berlinale Palast on 16 February.