London, Nov 29 : Clive Owen and Naomi Watts starring political thriller ‘The International’ will kick off next year''s Berlin Film Festival.

The film, directed by Tom Tykwer, is based on the criminal business transactions that finance war and terror.

The 2009 festival, which will start on February 5 and will continue till 15th of the same month, has Britain''s Tilda Swinton chairing the international jury.

Tykwer, best known for his 1998 film ‘Run Lola Run’ and his 2006 adaptation of Patrick Suskind''s controversial bestseller ‘Perfume’, has launched the festival earlier in
2002 with his thriller ‘Heaven’, starring Cate Blanchett.

‘The International’, partly shot in Germany, will screen out of competition ahead of its US release on Feb 13.

The film’s cast includes Armin Mueller-Stahl, Danish actor Ulrich Thomsen and Ireland''s Brian F O''Byrne, reports BBC.

Watts, 40, started shooting for the film shortly after giving birth to her son Alexander and now the actress is expecting her second child with her partner, film actor Liev Schreiber. (ANI)