BERLIN, Feb. 6 (UPI) -- German protesters angered at education budget cuts greeted the opening of the Berlin Film Festival while some Hollywood actors failed to show.
About 500 demonstrators marched along the red carpet in Marlene Dietrich Square, throwing items at the festival attendees, the BBC reported Friday.
"Fargo" actress Frances McDormand, who is chairing the festival jury, said she saw no harm in the protests.
"I love that, that's fabulous. We are the people," she said upon her arrival.
Festival president Dieter Kosslick was not as embracing of the protests.
"That's stupid," Kosslick said. "The foreign guests won't understand what it is about, they will think we are rioters throwing things."
Oscar-nominated film "Cold Mountain" opened the festival, which will run through Feb. 15, but the film's major stars were no shows.
Nicole Kidman was in Australia for "personal reasons," and Jude Law and Renee Zellweger had filming conflicts, a spokesman said.
Law and Zellweger are expected to attend the festival later.
Big names scheduled to attend this year's festival include Jack Nicholson, Cate Blanchett, Juliette Binoche, Julie Delpy, Peter Fonda and Robin Williams.
Oscar-nominated actress Diane Keaton was already in Berlin promoting "Something's Gotta Give," which co-stars Nicholson.
