Making a welcome return to Edinburgh following its world premiere here during the Edinburgh International Film Festival 2018, Eaten by Lions opens at cinemas across the UK on 29 March 2019.
Described as hilarious and contemporary, the film stars some of Britain’s best-loved comedians alongside bright new British acting talent including Screen International’s 2018 ‘Star of Tomorrow’Antonio Aakeel (City of Tiny Lights, Tomb Raider, The Hungry, Skins), BAFTA & Emmy award-winningAsim Chaudhry (Black Mirror, People Just Do Nothing,) Britain’s Got Talent’s Jack Carroll, actor and producer Johnny Vegas (Still Open All Hours, Benidorm),Kevin Eldon (Game of Thrones, Hot Fuzz) and Vicki Pepperdine (Getting On, Camping).
It tells the story of Omar and Pete who were raised by their grandma after their parents were killed by lions in a bizarre accident. Although that does not sound like a comedy plot we are assured it will have you laughing.
Director Jason Wingard said: “The story is essentially about the importance of family. I wanted the viewer to forget about incidentals such as race or disability and focus on the characters. It’s an attitude we applied to everyone in the film really. The story deals with big contemporary issues (class, diversity, disability, inter-racial relations, foster and adoption, sexuality, love, life and death) in a sharp and often irreverent way. A comedy with heart without skimping on laughs.”
Johnny Vegas said: “It’s a very relatable story about searching for something…like we all do, and the realisation that what you think you’re looking is often right in front of you.”
Jack Carroll said: “I loved the warm, yet still cutting-edge nature of the comedy, the expertly drawn characters and the positive message at the heart of the story. I’m playing a sarcastic, semi-annoying disabled teenager. This role was a huge stretch for me.”
EATEN BY LIONS will be released in UK cinemas on 29 March 2019 www.eatenbylions.com#EatenbyLions
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
