Edinburgh International Film Festival

  • Source: The Midgie
  • Date: 1 June 2009 (updated 2 June 2009)
  • Written by: Anna Docherty
(0)
Little Red Hoodie

Little Red Hoodie

Movie Mania

The Edinburgh International Film Festival is a firm highlight in the capital’s calendar. Here Anna Docherty gives you the low-down on what to expect

After 61 years it was finally time to let go of Mummy’s hand and, last year, for the first time since its birth in 1947, the Edinburgh International Film Festival, instead of taking place among the August celebrations, went it alone in June. It proved to be a great success and will be repeated this year.

Artistic Director Hannah McGill says that ‘Last year went above and beyond and we had so many sold out films.’ As a film festival with such a stronghold in the industry, giving it its own spotlight seems to have really worked. McGill adds: ‘I think we’ve proven that having the festival in June gets it more attention and gives it more of a definition.’

Indeed, it now seems to stand bolder and taller than ever before and for 2009 they are placing extra focus on stimulating cinematic debate. As well as talks from actors and filmmakers there will also be discussions based around the ‘Digital Britain’ report - which will, among other things, look into the amount of time we spend watching moving images (i.e. how googly-eyed we have all become).

These interesting new additions to the festival schedule help keep it fresh and ensure it continues to grow in a positive direction: ‘It feels very generative, which is what I’ve always said I wanted it to be,’ says McGill.

This year there will also be a special celebration of 3D films, which is likely to excite those who enjoy wearing funny glasses and feeling like the big screen is about to attack their face.

You see, what the EIFF does is find a delicately strung balance between popcorn entertainment and films which invite you to think. Indeed, the two are often seamlessly interwoven and that’s the sign of a true gem. 

The Edinburgh International Film Festival runs from 17-28 June. For more information and a full programme of events, visit www.edfilmfest.org.uk

The Shortie: Little Red Hoodie
This short film will run as part of the Cinema Extreme screenings and is a bold and stylistic vision of the effects of a sexually orientated media. Our pre-teen protagonists wear home-made push-up bras and oodles of poorly applied make-up. It’s a contemporary re-telling of the ‘Little Red Riding Hood’ fairytale, in that it is about a young girl going to visit her gran. But this retelling is hyper-real and relies on visuals more than dialogue. Norwegian director Joern Utkilen is known for his distinctive character portrayals and dry Nordic humour, so expect this shortie to make its mark on you. 

The Sure-fire Hit: Away We Go
The opening night film will be the newest offering from Oscar-winner director Sam Mendes, with Mendes himself expected to attend. Away We Go is a quirky road movie which follows an expectant young couple as they travel across America in search of the perfect place to raise their family. Their adventure sees them collide with old friends and relatives - some of whom are slightly wacky, but each play a part in helping the couple discover the meaning of ‘home’. John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph play the leads, with Jeff Daniels and Maggie Gyllenhaal providing the more familiar faces. 

More: Features, 3D Films, Away We Go, Digital Britain, Edinburgh International Film Festival, EIFF, Hannah McGill, Little Red Hoodie

Comments

No comments yet – be the first.

To post a comment you'll first need to log in: Forgotten your password?

Log in

Not registered? Sign up – it only takes a minute.

RSS feed of these comments