Kim Cattrall, Brian Cox, Disney-Pixar, Whisky Galore, E.T. The Extra Terrestrial, Highlander and filmmakers aplenty in this year’s festival.
The programme is as varied as ever for the 70th edition of the Edinburgh International Film Festival, where the artistic Director Mark Adams said the city is as important as the films.
There are several strands including Documentary, American Indie, a Focus on Finland, short films and films about Edinburgh students with SHOOTING THE REVEL: RE-DISCOVERING EDINBURGH COLLEGE OF ART’S REVEL FILMS OF THE 1930S AND 1940S.
There is something for all ages beginning with Film in the City in St Andrew Square in June showing films from The Muppets: The Breakfast Club to Max Max. Then when the luvvies get to town there will be 161 feature films, of which 22 will be having their world premiere, 5 an international premiere, 17 European and 85 UK premieres.
Disney-Pixar have brought out the sequel to Finding Nemo in Finding Dory, and the festival will open with Tommy’s Honour and close with Whisky Galore. Other old classics are trotted out on the big screen such as E.T and Highlander. But this is E.T. with a difference as the RSNO will perform the score live at the Festival Theatre, and the star of Highlander, Clancy Brown, will attend the showing of his film.
Chairman of EIFF Ken Hay said: “In the EIFF we have a festival which is not just measured by ticket sales, it is measured by reputation, and the rest of the world views Edinburgh as something very special. One of the original film festivals, and one of the original Edinburgh festivals. That reputation is built on the quality of the programming , the quality of the guests, the quality of the venues, the quality of the welcomes from the world’s leading festival city and the quality of the parties.
“The EIFF is the perfect place for people who love films to come together to share a passion and make connections. Huge thanks are due to our public partners, commercial partners and venue partners. The Traverse will again be the industry delegate centre and the youth hub will be housed at St John’s Church.”
There are other big names in the programme, both films and stars. Here is our first pick:
- Tommy’s Honour with Peter Mullan, Jack Lowden, Ophelia Lovibond and Sam Neill.
- Whisky Galore starring Gregor Fisher, Eddie Izzard, James Cosmo
- Away with Timothy Spall
- The Carer with Brian Cox
- Moon Dogs with Jack Parry-Jones, Tara Lee, Christy O’Donnell, Denis Lawson and Shauna Macdonald
- Pale Star which is an Icelandic thriller
- White Island with Billy Zane
- Ithaca with Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks
- Maggie’s Plan with Ethan Hawke
- The End with Gerard Depardieu
And that is without going past the middle of the programme. It could be a dark 10 days in June. Remember if you cannot choose then there is the Best of the Fest on 26 June which is announced on the 23rd.
The Edinburgh Reporter had the opportunity of speaking to Mark Adams after the press had left the cinema which you can watch here:
The Edinburgh Reporter News -EIFF from Phyllis Stephen on Vimeo.
You can buy tickets today if you are a member of the EIFF, and from Friday 27 May the tickets are on general release.
The full programme is here:
As well as all major film venues in the city, the EIFF also has a place in the north-east as Belmont Filmhouse in Aberdeen will show some films too.
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
