SCOTLAND is well represented at this year’s 58th Edinburgh Film Festival – and it’s probably just as well. Insiders claim there will be announcements next week about stars coming to the capital.
But, for the moment, the films don’t boast many big guns, leaving room for the Scots contingent.
Leading the way is the premiere of Richard Jobson’s new movie, The Purifiers.
Billed as Scotland’s first martial arts film, it stars Kevin McKidd. He also has a leading role in Jobson’s debut directed film 16 Years of Alcohol, which is out today.
There’s a first screening, too, for English director Ken Loach’s third Scotland-based film Ae Fond Kiss, a Muslim/Catholic love story set in Glasgow.
Shona Auerbach, who won the 2003 Audience Award with After Life, returns with Dear Frankie.
Shot in Greenock last summer, it’s a warm-hearted drama about a single mother and her deaf son.
Dear Frankie received a 15-minute standing ovation at its premiere in Cannes.
Written by Andrea Gibb, the cast includes Emily Mortimer, Gerard Butler and newcomer Jack McElhone.
Peter Mullan appears in Eleanor Yule’s Bergmanesque Blinded and Daniela Nardini stars in Festival.
Malcolm McDowell will pay tribute to late Scots director Lindsay Anderson. The festival, which runs from August 18-29, will show films from 27 countries.
Copyright 2004 Scottish Daily Record & Sunday Mail Ltd.