Madonna's Directorial Debut Hits Berlin Festival

Filth and Wisdom, the Material Girl's first behind-the-camera effort, is set to premiere tonight at the Berlin International Film Festival, Der Spiegel reports. The movie, about three young Londoners juggling various jobs to support their grander ambitions, was also produced and co-written by Madonna—whose husband, Guy Ritchie, is himself a noted director.

Critics at an advance screening, expecting to pan the film, actually found much to like. Although Madonna “puts a little too much faith in her writing powers” and the film features “some clunkingly awful acting,” writes James Christopher for the Times, it's saved by “sheer exuberance,” amounting to a “surprisingly auspicious start” to the pop diva’s latest incarnation. (More Madonna stories.)