“Ambush” (2002; Finland, 123 minutes): Inspired by a true story, this war yarn takes place in the summer of 1941 when Finnish troops — mounted on bicycles — were mobilized along Russia's border. Sort of a Scandinavian “Private Ryan.” (Screening at 3:30 p.m. Monday)...
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Beyond the mainstream
A huge raft of indies & foreign imports heads our way Before the Revolution: Gael Garcia Bernal and Rodrigo de la Serna in 'The Motorcycle Diaries.' Star-driven independent films dominate the art-house lineup this season, and some of them are certain to appeal to...
Michael plans bigger film festival
SEVEN Scottish premieres - and a talk by TV film presenter Barry Norman - are among the major attractions at the second Inverness Film Festival being held at Eden Court from 11th15th November at the Eden Court Theatre and the Vue multiplex. The full programme for this...
New dark stars are born
Edinburgh is dominated by brooding, homegrown talent with an ability to turn from the comic to the violent Film festivals tend to be about directors, countries or genres, but sometimes they are also about a new star. In Cannes, it was the young Mexican actor Gael...
‘Sprung’ finds a home
NEW YORK -- Miramax has sealed a pact with Pathe Pictures Intl. to acquire distribution rights to animated feature "Sprung! The Magic Roundabout" for North and South America. In post-production and set to be completed in January, "Sprung" is based on the vintage U.K....
Actor ‘Rediscovered Glasgow’ During Filming
The leading actor in a movie which is to receive its UK premiere tonight, today described filming on location in the west coast of Scotland as “just a really good, simple experience”. Tomb Raider star Gerard Butler, who grew up in Paisley, said that shooting Dear...
Fest offers early look at upcoming dramas
The Chicago International Film Festival offers early looks at four dramas -- "The Machinist," "Dear Frankie," "P.S." and "Sideways" -- expected to open soon in local art houses. The dialogue is in English, if you're one to avoid subtitles. And if you want to take...
Scottish talent flies the flag
All this time in Edinburgh and, Ae Fond Kiss and The Purifiers aside, Empire hasn't yet been flying the flag for the Scottish films on show. There's always a danger at any film festival, of course, that special favours and lower standards exist to allow locally...
Film festival features blues, true stories
Pittsburgh native Antoine Fuqua captured "Lightning in a Bottle" -- a once-in-a-lifetime salute to the blues at Radio City Music Hall -- and the movie will be uncorked as part of the Three Rivers Film Festival. The tribute features legends such as B.B. King, Buddy Guy...
Dear Frankie and the Masculine Principle (a la Gerard Butler) (Blog)
Dear Frankie (2004) is another of my Netflix pics. My husband and I were on the outs so he really didn't want to watch it with me. But he did anyway. Such a sport! Of course, he griped about it and his crankiness was wearing on me but we soon got into watching the...
Gerry Butler’s famous, sort of; EIFF ticket prices.
Doug at the EIFF: day 10 [b]Those of you who have a penchant for Hollywood heartthrobs would have done well to get to the premiere of Dear Frankie at the Fountainbridge UGC. Scottish hunk of Tomb Raider fame, Gerry Butler, has returned to his homeland, but is here to...
The WIN Awards
Women's Image Network (WIN), levels the playing field for women each year by producing The WIN Awards which venerate films, shows, and commercials, which either feature female protagonists OR that have been directed/created by a women. On Sunday, November 7, 2004, WIN...
DEAR FRANKIE
(U.K.) A Miramax Films (U.S.)/Pathe Distribution (U.K.) release of a Pathe Pictures presentation in association with U.K. Film Council, Scottish Screen of a Scorpio Films production in association with Sigma Films, Inside Track Prods. Produced by Caroline Wood....
Miramax pushes date with ‘Frankie’
Miramax Films' slender release schedule for 2004 has gotten slimmer. "Dear Frankie," which Miramax confirmed for a fall release less than two weeks ago, is now slated for March 4. And while the Robert Redford-Jennifer Lopez starrer "An Unfinished Life" is slated for...
Dear Frankie for Free to Celebrate 10 Years of National Lottery
The National Lottery celebrates its 10th Birthday this year. Thanks to everyone who has played or supported it, over £16 billion has been raised for good causes. National Lottery money has been essential in funding many Scottish films in recent years. The first ever...
Dear Frankie Review
This moving Scottish drama has a strongly emotional punch that, nicely, never turns sappy or sentimental at all. Lizzie (Mortimer) is on the run again, moving with her 9-year-old son Frankie and her cantankerous mother (Riggans) to a new flat so her ex doesn't find...
Interview with Dear Frankie Director
Shona Auerbach is an award-winning short film director whose first feature, Dear Frankie, had its UK premiere at Edinburgh. The film got a standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival, and it won the audience award for best international feature at the LA Film...
Hollywood comes to Coventry
Warwick Arts Centre's November and December Film Season includes a weekend of incredible cinema events and special guests. On Thursday 25 November there's a special preview screening of Dear Frankie, by Warwickshire film maker, Shona Auerbach. Shona is an...
Frankie speaking with movie writer
ANDREA GIBB: Film writer says Inverclyde has a special hold on her imagination.GREENOCK writer Andrea Gibb is getting ready for one of the biggest weeks in her career with the UK premiere of her second feature film, Dear Frankie. In an exclusive interview with the...
Hobbit star urges backing for film studio in Scotland
BILLY Boyd, the Lord of the Rings actor, has called on the Scottish Executive to support the establishment of a film studio in Scotland. The Scots star spoke out yesterday at the unveiling of nominations for the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA)...
Kansas film fest adds more movies to the mix
With just days remaining until the start of this year's Kansas International Film Festival (it used to be known as the Halfway to Hollywood fest), organizers have added a slew of films to the lineup. Among the new KIFF titles: • “Dear Frankie”: Little deaf Frankie...
Andrea’s films up for seven Baftas
FILM writer Andrea Gibb is celebrating today after two of her films were showered with Scottish BAFTA nominations. Dear Frankie, which was shot in Greenock and Gourock last year, is up for three awards at the glittering ceremony, the equivalent of Scotland’s Oscars....
Mother! It’s my true role: Emily Mortimer
Emily Mortimer sits drinking dodgy bottled water at the end of the pier that juts out from the Majestic Hotel's beach-front restaurant. It's a pebble's throw from where her latest film, Dear Frankie, opening in the UK on September 17, was screened to much acclaim on...
Local family is among stars of film festival
An Indianapolis family, Johnny Depp, Kate Winslet and Dave Matthews have something in common: They'll all be seen in Heartland Film Festival offerings Oct. 21-29 at various Indianapolis venues. Crystal Heart Award winners, opening and closing films and other festival...
And the Bafta for most improved nation goes to Scotland
IT’S easy to forget just how far Scottish film has come. In the course of a single generation, film-making in Scotland has grown from the endeavours of a few hardy pioneers to a profession that consistently produces world class work. Inevitably, there are...