Pop star Madonna received a far more positive response to her directorial debut on “Filth and Wisdom” then she ever got from her forays into acting, when the film was recently screened at the Berlin Film Festival.

However, some reviewers criticised the film’s “fortune-cookie philosophy”. At a press function Madonna said the film, which stars Richard E Grant, was about “ultimate duality”. She is considering releasing the film on the Internet only.

Meanwhile, a film about the abuses at the AbuGhraib prison, Errol Morris’ “S.O.P.:Standard Operating Procedure”, has been wowing critics at the Berlinale, with some speculating that it might walk away with the festival’s top honour, The Golden Bear. “S.O.P.” is the first documentary that has ever been chosen for the main competition.

Berlinale often awards undiscovered films, such as the South African film U-Carmen eKayelitsha, which won the Golden Bear a few years ago.

“S.O.P.” is competing against the high profile, Oscar-nominated “There Will Be Blood”. The Festival runs until 17 February. (Source: Studio Briefing)