"We are delighted to be able to award the honorary Golden Bear to such a terrific artist and world star," said Berlinale topper Dieter Kosslick. "Meryl Streep is a brilliant, versatile performer who moves with ease between dramatic and comedic roles." Streep's latest film, The Iron Lady, will be screened at the festival.
Streep, 62, currently graces the January issue of Vogue as the high-fashion magazine's oldest cover girl ever. Streep has won prizes in Berlin before, beginning with the 1999 Berlinale Camera, which is given to friends and supporters of the festival.
She won a second Academy Award for her compelling performance in Sophie’s Choice (1982, directed by Alan J. Pakula). In 2003, Streep, who has appeared in more than 40 movies and has twice won an Oscar, shared the Berlinale’s Silver Bear award for best actresses with Julianne Moore and Nicole Kidman for their performances in “The Hours”.
The festival also will screen older Streep films, including "Kramer vs. Kramer" and "Sophie's Choice." It takes place Feb. 9 through Feb. 19.
