EIFF Reveals Strong Scottish Vein In International Line-up

Submitted by edg on Wed, 16 May '18 9.32am

With just a week until the full programme launch for the 72nd Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF), we’re getting a picture of some of the home-grown films that you can catch next month.

As well as the previously announced festival-opener “Puzzle”, starring Scottish actress Kelly Macdonald, this year’s festival will feature cult comedic horror/musical “Anna and the Apocalypse”, which was largely shot in and around Glasgow.

The thriller “Calibre”, set against the backdrop of Beecraigs Country Park, acting as the Scottish Highlands, stars Scottish actor Jack Lowden (England is Mine, Dunkirk).

In a different tack, Glasgow-based video artist Rachel Maclean will bring her pop-art drama “Make Me Up” to the EIFF.

On the documentary front, Oscar winning director Kevin Macdonald’s “Whitney” lands at the EIFF and also in a rock ‘n’ pop vein, the world premiere of “Almost Fashionable: A Film About Travis” has its world premiere in Edinburgh. The film is directed by the front man of the well-known Scottish band, Fran Healy.

Another World Premiere is Kenny Glenaan’s “Dirt Road to Lafayette”, written by James Kelman. It follows a father and son’s journey from Scotland to North Alabama to visit their American/Scots relatives.

Ece Ger’s “Meeting Jim” about Jim Haynes, the man who co-founded the Traverse Theatre and helped with the growth of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe will also have its World Premiere in Edinburgh in June.

Edinburgh-based documentarian, and EIFF Honorary Patron Mark Cousins, will be on hand to introduce two of his latest projects “The Eyes of Orson Welles” and “Storm In My Heart”.

Meanwhile, Scottish talent Shauna Macdonald can be seen on screen in thriller “White Chamber” directed by Paul Raschid. The work of Scottish actors Tommy Flanagan and EIFF Honorary Patron James Cosmo will be showcased, with Flanagan appearing in crime drama “Papillon”, and Cosmo starring in Anthony Byrne’s “In Darkness” alongside Natalie Dormer and Emily Ratajkowski.

Audiences can again look forward to a preview of the hit Gaelic TV show “Bannan”, filmed on Skye.

Scottish-linked animations confirmed for this year’s programme include Dorte Bengtson’s family film “Vitello”, written by Kim Fupz Aakeson and produced by Anders Berthelsen and former EIFF chair Bob Last, who also produced Edinburgh-set animation “The Illusionist”.

There will also be a sneak preview of Red Kite's animated feature “Princess Emmy”, co-produced by the Scottish animation studio and voiced by a host of Scottish actors, including John Hannah.

Edinburgh College of Art graduate and animator Elizabeth Hobbs will be in Edinburgh to present a screening of her short animations.

Local cycling legend David Millar will be on hand to present Finlay Pretsell’s, “Time Trial”, followed by an extended Q&A with Millar and TV presenter Ned Boulting.

Scottish director Bill Forsyth will also introduce a screening of his classic film “Local Hero” and participate in an extended Q&A with Royal Lyceum Theatre Artistic Director David Greig.

The full programme of the 72nd Edinburgh International Film Festival will be out on Wednesday 23 May.

Tickets go on sale to Filmhouse Members on Wednesday 23 May at 12noon and on sale to the public on Friday 25 May at 10am.