Chinese actress Huo Siyan appears on the red carpet at the Berlin Film Festival's opening ceremony.

The 62nd Berlin Film Festival got under way on Thursday night as a cold spell gripped Europe. In cinemas, however, the atmosphere was much warmer, with the opening movie Farewell My Queen recalling the French Revolution.

The French drama, along with 17 other movies, all world premieres, will vie for the top award Golden Bear prize in the main competition of the festival over 10 days.

Chinese director Wang Quan'an will present his latest film White Deer Plain in the main competition, vying for the top award for the third time, after winning a Golden Bear in 2007 and a Sliver Bear in 2010.

Wang's movie, which is more than three hours long, depicts the twists and turns of two major families in a village of Shaanxi province at the turn of the 20th century. It's based on a controversial and prize-winning eponymous novel by writer Chen Zhongshi.

China's leading director Zhang Yimou also returns to the Berlinale with his The Flowers of War. The film is to be screened out of competition.