Hollywood in the early fifties. At one of the big studios, Eddie Mannix is the go-to man for all kinds of problems during the run-of-the-mill madness of daily life. There are moments however when even Eddie reaches the end of his tether. When the star of a monumental epic named ‘Hail, Caesar!’ is kidnapped, the shoot grinds to a halt and not just one but two sensation-seeking female journalists are snapping at his heels, Eddie keeps his cool. But yet more challenges await which require ever more extraordinary measures ...
The Coen brothers’ alliance with George Clooney has already produced several zany comedies such as O Brother, Where Art Thou? and Burn After Reading. After True Grit (2011), the four-time Academy Award-winning directors are opening the Berlinale for the second time. Having mercilessly amused themselves at Hollywood’s expense once before in Barton Fink, their new work takes another unsparing look behind the scenes. Bringing together an impressive line-up of stars in front of the camera and with scenes from musicals, westerns and film noir, Hail, Caesar! is the ultimate tribute to the golden age of the studio system.