Madonna brings 'Wisdom' to Berlin

Madonna may be an inexhaustible entertainment mogul, but can she direct?

The world will find out what the singer, songwriter, dancer, actress, author, record and film producer and fashion icon can do behind the camera when her first film, "Filth and Wisdom," debuts at the Berlin Film Festival in February.

The 45-minute film, described as a romantic musical dramedy about a Russian immigrant, features -- what else? -- a gypsy punk band, ballet school, lap dancing and cultural revolution.

"Filth and Wisdom," shot largely on location in London, stars Eugene Hutz, the singer and songwriter behind the gypsy punk band Gogol Bordello, which contributed a handful of songs to the soundtrack. Madonna performed with Gogol Bordello at the Live Earth benefit concert in London this year.

The film is written by Dan Cadan, who is credited as having worked as a personal assistant to Madonna's husband, Guy Ritchie, during "Snatch," Ritchie's 2000 crime caper film starring Brad Pitt and Jason Statham. Tim Maurice-Jones, who shot Ritchie's "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels," "Snatch" and "Revolver," also serves as Madonna's cameraman on "Filth and Wisdom."

The 58th edition of the festival, also called the Berlinale, takes place Feb. 7-17.

(The Associated Press was used in compiling this report.)