Category: Guest Posts
The Greatest 2012 Blockbuster Films So Far
Image taken by Daniel Leininger on Flickr
You could say that 2012 has been the year of the superhero. Caped crusaders, web-slinging teenagers and giant green monsters have dominated our cinema screens this year. Which of Hollywood’s blockbusters have topped the box office charts while leaving a lasting impression with audiences? As you will see, there are plenty of contenders. Play blockbuster Bingo by keeping note of how many of this year’s biggest releases you have seen!
The Avengers Assemble
Image taken by Mike Saechang on Flickr
Officially the world’s most successful superhero movie, The Avengers Assemble featured an ensemble of Marvel’s most fearsome characters all fighting to save the world. Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, and the Incredible Hulk joined forces to ward off the evil Loki, brother of Thor. Although this film didn’t offer anything original or thought-provoking, it kept people hooked with non-stop action and a series of witty one-liners. It was hugely popular with families because the violence wasn’t gratuitous but the action never stopped.
The Dark Knight Rises
Image taken by infomatique on Flickr
The long-awaited sequel to The Dark Knight finally arrived in July and immediately split opinion. After fighting organised crime in grimy Gotham streets in the previous two movies, we saw Batman revert to more standard superhero work, saving the city from imminent nuclear disaster. Whilst beautifully shot and nicely directed, the film failed to make enough of the primary villain. Tom Hardy’s Bane showed great promise in the early stages of the movie, only to be cast aside rather quickly during the film’s climax. Perhaps the biggest highlight of Nolan’s final instalment was Anne Hatahaway’s Catwoman. Superbly complex and full of 1950s Hollywood sex appeal, she gave the character a dimension not seen before. Whilst still a fine movie, it struggles under the weight of expectation thrust on to audiences by Heath Ledger’s Joker in The Dark Knight.
The Hunger Games
Image taken by KendraKaptures on Flickr
Based on the hugely successful novel by Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games depicted a harsh and brutal future where many citizens are suppressed and forced to live in extreme poverty. So bad is the hunger among the twelve outlying districts, people are forced to ask government for food hand-outs. However, every time food is issued, the young members receive an entry into the draw for the annual Hunger Games. The Games involves twenty-four youngsters fighting for survival in a harsh, televised arena. There can be only one winner so only the most agile, skilled and ruthless child will win. The demand for this movie was huge after the novel’s incredible worldwide success. The film was criticised by sections of the media for being too violent for children; however, the criticism didn’t affect the film’s performance at the box office.
The Amazing Spiderman
Many people were sceptical that a reboot so quickly after Spiderman 3 could be a success. In terms of box office appeal, such concerns were proven to be misguided. Andrew Garfield’s wise-cracking portrayal of Marvel’s most recognisable superhero was a breath of fresh air. Emma Stone’s appearance gave the movie some much needed credibility, after her stunning performance in the 2011 smash-hit, The Help. Rhys Ifans played evil nemesis, The Lizard, superbly and continued the Spiderman tradition of portraying villains as characters torn between good and evil. There was lots of web-slinging action that kept audiences entertained throughout.
Prometheus
Ridley Scott’s long-awaited Alien prequel was always going to have a tough job living up to its hype. While it was expertly shot and included a stunning performance from Michael Fassbender, it failed to grip audiences in the way its predecessor did in 1979. This was perhaps the classic example of a film being spoiled by its trailer. Audiences were promised two hours of blood-curdling action; they got two hours of back story that left many rather disappointed.
Men in Black 3
After the very disappointing Men in Black 2, there were very low expectations surrounding this latest installment. Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones returned to the fold for another alien-busting outing and, for the most part, provided some of the action and wit that made the first movie such a huge success. That said, Men in Black 3 offered no real surprises and went nowhere the previous two movies didn’t go.
So there we have it the cinema screens have been dominated by big budget superhero romps this year with a sprinkling of sci-fi and films based on popular books. If you saw most of the films in this list then you have won blockbuster Bingo!
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Limited release for 48-frames ‘Hobbit’
Peter Jackson believes that high-frame-rates are the future of big budget films. He is filming the newly-expanded Hobbit trilogy in the new format and Warner Bros have backed him all the way. However, due to complications with the upgrade, the initial release will only reach a limited amount of theatres.
As I type, there are officially no theatres that are capable of HFR projection. The latest projectors require only an upgrade in software, (which will be ready next month), but most theatres need to purchase entirely new machines. Either way, the December release doesn’t give much time for wide-spread change and it’s likely that the 48-frame version of The Hobbit will only reach a select number of screens.
Warner Bros are using the Hobbit as a chance to test the waters. By reducing the chances to see the 48 frame version, the sense of exclusivity should provide a level of excitement and intrigue that could undo the damage caused at CinemaCon.
The footage shown in April was released before the standard post-production clean-up and received a large amount of negative feedback from the crowd and press.
The finished version of the film has met with vastly improved responses and Warner Bros are confident it will pave the way for a larger HFR release of the second and third parts of the franchise.
Because Jackson is only using 48 frames per second cameras to film The Hobbit, a considerable amount of time and expense is required to ‘downgrade’ the film to the standard frame-rate. Although it uses double the amount of frames, it isn’t possible to simply remove half of them. The chopped film would appear to stutter, so motion blur must be added to smooth the picture.
Although, later ‘Series 2’ projectors can be upgraded to work with HFR 3D (albeit at differing expenses), many projectors simply can’t and would need to be replaced entirely, including all earlier ‘Series 1’ projectors. Despite this, the leading manufacturers of 3D projectors (MasterImage, Xpand, RealD and Dolby) all claim that their systems are ready to go or, or a short step away.
Despite this effort and the obvious theatre issues, there is a lot of faith in HFR films. The difference in quality is instantly obvious to all and Warner Bros are confident that The Hobbit will pave the way for a new era of film-going.
After that, the next big stage is to combine the higher frame rate footage with 4k resolution 3D. The technology used today, simply can’t cope and replacing all equipment with versions that can is the stuff of a cinema-owner’s nightmares, but… For now, it’s one hairy-footed step a time.
Jill Halfpenny works for www.businesselectricityprices.org.uk the UK’s finest business electricity price comparison service. She would like to assure everyone that she doesn’t have hairy feet.
Five Great Movie Soundtracks that Made Use of Production Music
Music is now an essential part of any film – and often gets as much attention as casting or visual effects. Music not only creates atmosphere, but helps tell the story and drive the narrative. A lot of music for films is sourced through production music libraries that offer a wide range of different musical styles and tracks that can be used in this sort of commercial environment.
There are a number of routes to dealing with music in productions such as movies:
- Specially Composed: This involves music being written and produced specifically for a project and can be expensive but of course, flexible and specifically written for the project. This can be an option for a big release with an equally large budget, but not applicable to many.
- Licensing: It is possible to license existing music for use, but this can be unoriginal and also very expensive too, costing hundreds of thousands of dollars to use certain tracks.
- Production Music: Libraries have thousands of tracks to match every genre and mood giving creativity, freedom and ease for putting together a soundtrack (including any effects and background music). This is a very affordable and flexible option.
Here are five projects that have used production music in their soundtrack to great avail:
The Road – Freestyle Releasing
The Road was a 2009 release telling the story of a father and son traveling across the USA in a post-apocalyptic scenario – fending for their lives and battling aversion. It’s a powerful film, with many moving scenes and tense situations that have been complimented through the use of perfectly selected stock music. It’s a powerful tale of survival against the odds, and how far you would go to protect your family and people who matter to you most.
John Carter – Walt Disney Theatrical
Although the film used a lot of specially composed music, production music was also used in the trailer and demonstrates the flexibility of this type of music. Production music is adaptable and perfectly suited for use in trailers because there are usually multiple trailers published in the run up to a new film. The background music here amplified the excitement for this 2012 Disney release and helped build up hype around the new character – John Carter, who is transported to Mars from a very different world for unknown reasons (without giving anything away!).
The Babymakers – Millennium Entertainment
This comedy has a 2012 release date, and stars Olivia Munn alongside many others telling the story of a complicated pregnancy plan after a man fails to get his partner pregnant. The production music was able to create a lighthearted atmosphere and add to any onscreen capers that were result of the misunderstanding created. It shows that music in films can be extremely varied, and lighthearted music for comedy films shouldn’t be overlooked.
Breathless – Anchor Bay Entertainment
Breathless again displays the flexibility of a complete music library as there’s something to suit everything. Breathless is a dark and blood-laced comedy. “The most deadly weapon is an unappreciated woman”, heads the film as its tagline and was directed by Jesse Baget and produced by Nicholas Chartier of ‘The Hurt Locker’ fame.
Small Apartments – Silver Nitrate
This mysterious thriller stars the infamous Dolph Lundgren in the adaptation of Chris Millis’ famous novel. Crime films always have great accompanying music and this is no different – with music setting the scene and adding to the tension and emotion of the story. This is another 2012 film, so keep an eye out and check it out for yourself.
Audio Network provides production music to the film/movie and creative industries. Their extensive collection has music for any project that needs a great soundtrack.
The 56th London Film Festival
Film fans should get their calendars ready! The 56th instalment of the London Film Festival is happing 10th-21st October, 2012, and this year will be changing focus slightly. With seven new categories focussed on around themes such as love and journeys and highlighting the competitive categories for the Best Film, the Grierson Award for documentary filmmaking, and the Sutherland Trophy for the first feature film shown at the festival.
These awards have a long history of recognising talent like well-known directors Jean-Luc Godard, Rainer Werner Fassbinder, and Michelangelo Antonioni, and winners have gone on to be internationally recognised, producing famous. Although the calibre of films screened that the London Film Festival is very high, ultimately, the festival is public and is not intended for only critics, journalists, and other high profile members of the film industry.
Of course, as with any film festival, the Opening and Closing Galas are definite red carpet events, so if you’re interested in celebrity spotting, get dressed up in your finest tuxedo, don’t forget the pearls, and keep your fingers crossed. Past judges have included Hollywood legends like Angelica Huston, and past events have taken up the entirety of Leicester Square so your chances to spot one of your favourite actors are pretty good!
Did you know that London is home to a number of other festivals that offer more specific film offerings based around genres like horror and children’s films to languages like Russian, and a festival for women’s films? If you aren’t in London in October or you’re a major film buff and want to take in all the possible silver screen action you can in one year, there is something for you, nearly every month of the year.
These events also offer special extras, like master classes with directors and writers, as well as gala nights and opportunities to mingle with the creators, stars and producers of the festivals, plus lots of other unique events depending on the festivals so make sure you do your research to see what other kinds of events you can experience.
January is the time of year to pack in all the short films you can at the London Short Film Festival. There are live performances along with the films, awards, as well as lots of opportunities to see the films.
There are language based festivals happening in March with the Taiwan Cinefest, showcasing the best of Taiwanese filmmaking, as well as the Russian Film Festival in the Autumn followed by the German Film Festival in November, and the Latin America Film festival in the last two months of the year.
Children will be entertained by the London Children’s festival in November, and those keen to see women’s perspectives on film can investigate the Birds Eye View Festival, followed by the Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, which showcases a diverse programme. Both of these festivals happen in the spring.
So if you’re not able to get your suits, bowties and dresses on for the London Festival, there’s always next year, but clearly no shortage of other events throughout the year.
Citations:
Bill Weston writes on a number of topics including tuxedos, and arts and entertainment events. For more on tuxedos, you can visit http://www.mytuxedo.co.uk/
Top 5 Iconic Movie Sunglasses
With modern CGI technology and digital enhancements available to directors to release films of visual splendour and magnificence, it would be easy to overlook simple elements of films such as costume, music and lighting. Nevertheless, it appears to be the outfit choices in early film classics of the 1960s-90s which have endured as memorable and iconic. When creating a film character, the designers must consider the overall image they want to project, whether that be powerful, mysterious, beautiful, feminine. With this list of the top 5 iconic sunglasses, it is easy to see how a simple choice of accessories can affect the way a film is remembered for years after its release.
Breakfast at Tiffany’s
Audrey Hepburn has long been admired as one of the leading beauties of Hollywood. Her characteristic beehive and oversized sunglasses, as seen in 1961 romance Breakfast at Tiffany’s, form part of a recognisable image which has since been replicated, printed and admired the world over. Though commonly mistaken for Ray Ban Wayfarers, the sunglasses seen in the film were by Oliver Goldsmith in a model called ’Manhattan’ and are the ultimate statement of feminine class and sophistication.
The Terminator
Arnold Schwarzenegger may now have built a reputation as high-flying Californian senator, but there’s no escaping his Hollywood movie history. Terminator was a 1984 classic action movie in which Schwarzenegger played a cyborg assassin from the future. When one imagines the Terminator, his iconic shades are always top of the list. They feature dark black lenses in a visor frame shape which look both futuristic and mysterious. The ‘Forum’ sunglasses by Smith epitomise this classic style with dark lenses and wide, wraparound frame.
Top Gun
You may be familiar with the famous quotes from this legendary 1984 film but it is Tom Cruise’s iconic aviator sunglasses which have enjoyed the most enduring success. He plays the character of Maverick, a fighter pilot in the US military and can been seen wearing a pair of dark aviator Ray Bans for the majority of the film. Aviators are now recognised as one of the most popular styles of frame for all ages, partly due to their memorable debut in the US military.
Fight Club
Although one of the more recent films in this list, the 1999 film Fight Club has nevertheless gained an enduring reputation as a gritty and groundbreaking movie. In an unconventional role for the A-Lister Brad Pitt, he plays Tyler Durden, a soap-maker who begins an underground fight club. Not surprisingly, the directors decided that such an unusual character needed a unique look. His sunglasses are Oliver Peoples model 523 Gothic Rose and feature a square silver frame with red tinted lenses.
The Matrix
Without having seen the Matrix, it is nonetheless easy to describe Keanu Reeves’s protagonist role. Reeves plays computer programmer Neo, who is drawn into a rebellious war against tyrannical machines in this science-fiction adventure movie. His iconic clothing involves long leather jacket and dark sunglasses. It is one of the few films where the main character wears shades for the entire film, but for Neo, his recognisable frames form an essential part of his overall image. They are designed by Blinde Design who, unfortunately no longer produce sunglasses. There are many similar frames available however, since the release of this iconic movie.
Victoria writes entertainment articles for one of the leading suppliers of prescription glasses, Direct Sight
Getting The Kristen Stewart Look
Kristen Stewart, regardless of the latest allegations against her, is the envy of many the world over – not only is she a famous and acclaimed actress due to her roles in films such as Adventureland and Twilight, she can also boast that she dated Robert Pattison on top of possessing one of the best wardrobes in all of Hollywood. Able to switch effortlessly from tomboy cool to glamorous chic, Stewart has become something of a style icon amongst her many fans. Looking equally at home in Christian Louboutin as she does in Joe’s Jeans, the young actress is one of the rare few who can look equally good dressed up as she does dressed down.
Red Carpet Chic
One of Stewart’s most loved and famous outfits came in the form of a shiny Balenciaga dress which managed to blend some of the most on-trend styles of the season into one design. The frock, which the twenty two year old actress first sported at the 2012 Met Ball, is a perfect example of the type of outfit Stewart plumps for when glamming up for the benefit of the press at red carpet events; elegant and sophisticated whilst remaining up to the moment and cutting edge.
The shiny dress was split into four different designs and featured an array of different colours implemented to reflect the summer craze of “colour blocking”. The seemingly clashing reds, blacks and purple swatches which made up the lower half of the dress are used to create a bold impression with each colour used to highlight how vibrant its neighbouring colours are. This brightness also brings out, and highlights, the top half of the dress design – a pseudo-animal print design which has become all the rage within fashion circles this year. Aside from looking incredibly cool the outfit uses a band of colour around the waist to highlight the actress’ hips and, teamed with a pair of designer heels, the dress also manages to flatter the actress’ legs; the ensemble, as well as looking good in and of its own right, is a great figure enhancing tool.
Such techniques have been used by the actress on a repeated basis. Another example would be the orange trimmed Preen dress she wore. The bright orange stripes, around the neck, waist, and upper thigh at the bottom of the dress, manage to flatter the Twilight actresses figure once more whilst also staying on trend with a colour blocking scheme. Use heels once again to make her legs look longer and toned, the actress has shown how she uses her clothes to appear more statue-esque and lithe and this is one of the ways she manages to turn so many heads on the red carpet.
Get Kristen’s Edgy Casual Look
Away from the red carpet and posing for film promotion, Stewart often plumps for a much more edgy casual style – in fact, as soon as the cameras are no longer on her, the actress is known to remove her heels instantly for a pair of shoes she finds more comfortable, often trainers. Away from glamming it up for the press, Kristen’s favourite go to style often comprises a pair of skinny jeans, a t-shirt and either a denim or leather jacket giving her the ultimate rock chick look. Oftentimes, however, the Snow White and the Huntsmen star will often throw in on-trend looks and designer items to give her outfit and extra bit of zest. So, for example, whilst in London whilst interviewing on BBC Radio in May, Stewart teamed a Led Zeppelin t-shirt and skinny jeans, the ultimate in grungy attire, with a fitted blazer and a pair of Christian Louboutin pumps giving the ensemble a bit of pizazz and edge.
Staying on trend by mixing designer clothes into grungy looks, Stewart often goes in the opposite direction too and uses more formal clothes to take the sheen off of some of her more glamorous looks so as to make them cutting edge in fashion stakes. This means that, to give her edgy rock look some gravitas, the Bella Swan actress will often throw a pair of Converse trainers into the mix when wearing up-market gowns to instantly give her look some sass. Whether on the red carpet or in her down time, the one thing that is consistent in Kristen’s dressing is how fabulous she manages to look by putting her own unique stamp on her ensembles. Whether she is impossibly glam or sporting a more rock-based look with quilted leather jackets, Stewart is one of the best dressed young actresses in Hollywood with an eclectic style and vibrancy not many could replicate.
Kieron is a fashion writer who blogs regularly on the latest style trends and fashionable ladies shoes.
3 Feel Good Films for Summer 2012
Sometimes it’s great to watch a movie that will make you think, but other times all you want to do is watch something that will make you feel good when it’s over. If you’re looking for some great feel good films to rent this summer, here are a few new release DVD suggestions.
21 Jump Street
1. If you want action: 21 Jump Street. This movie is a remake of the classic 1980s TV show that gave Johnny Depp his start in show business. The remake stars Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum and has gotten rave reviews, scoring an 85% on the movie review site Rotten Tomatoes. Hill and Tatum play police officers Schmidt and Jenko, who are members of the secret unit “Jump Street.” The two officers are given an assignment to go undercover at a high school to investigate a possible drug ring, and discover that not much has changed since they graduated just a few years ago. It’s an action comedy, so there are plenty of laughs as well as fun action sequences.
War Horse
2. If you like animals: War Horse. This Steven Spielberg movie was based on a children’s book about a horse named Joey and was one of nine Oscar nominees for Best Picture in 2012. A young man named Albert has trained and taken care of Joey, but then the horse is sold to be used in the war. The story follows Joey as he serves as a British soldier’s war horse, a deserter’s ride to freedom, a young French girl’s pet, a German work horse, and ultimately ends up in the middle of no man’s land between the German and the British soldiers. While all this is going on, Albert has joined the war in the hopes of finding his beloved horse. Anyone who loves horse movies or inspirational stories can’t help being moved by this story.
Bridesmaids
3. If you want to laugh: Bridesmaids. Last year’s summer chick flick comedy is just as good this summer on DVD. Kristen Wiig stars as a woman asked to be maid of honor in her best friend’s wedding, but she soon finds that it is not as easy as she thought it would be. This movie is not only laugh-out-loud funny, but even has a heartwarming romance and a feel-good lesson about best friends who will be there for you no matter what.
So there you go you can buy dvds here and get your self in a great mood for the summer. Time to relax feel good and get that chilled and happy vibe on. Dan is a Flim Buff from London UK that loves the Summer months
Enjoy Film Classics Old and New at the Film 4 Summer Screen Festival
This August Somerset House in London plays host to the city’s finest open air cinema, located in the House’s grand courtyard. Somerset House was constructed on the site of a Tudor Palace in 1775 on the Victoria Embankment, and today stands as one of the city’s most beautiful locations. The Summer Screen has been running for several years now, and includes a bar and food concessions. There are film screenings and a series of Behind the Screen talks for the real cinema buffs among us, with a range of topics being covered this year from “The Genius of Hitchcock” to “The Magic of Paris, Texas”.
This Year’s Screenings
This year’s festival will kick off with the UK Premiere of Walter Salles’ adaptation of Kerouac’s On the Road, in which Kerouac’s stand-in Sal Paradiso travels across the country with his friends enjoying being young and carefree in 1950s America. This version will feature Sam Riley, Garrett Hedlund and Kristen Stewart as the disaffected young folks out looking for an America they can believe in, and also stealing cars and taking heroin. This is the first time the novel has been put on the big screen, and the road ends at Somerset House.
Hitchcock
If the thriller-master put you on edge in the cinema, just imagine watching his 1963 classic The Birds with nothing but the night sky over your head! The Summer Screen will feature a brand specially restored digital print of the film, and will be honoured to host a personal appearance from the star Tippi Hedren.
Coppola
If you love the smell of celluloid in the morning, you’ll get a real thrill from seeing Francis Ford Coppola’s Vietnam war epic Apocalypse Now brought back to the big screen under the stars. Join Martin Sheen and Dennis Hopper on their ill-fated trip into the heart of darkness in the Vietnamese jungle, and see Marlon Brando’s unforgettable turn as the mysterious Colonel Kurtz. The film is one of the boldest statements ever made in cinema, and even after decades of references and imitation the original still has the power to shock and move any audience.
De Sica
Set in a post-war Italy still struggling to even feed its people, let alone find work for them all, Vittorio De Sica’s account of a man trying to provide for his family with almost nothing to his name is tender, moving and occasionally shocking in its nightmarish recreation of life in 1947. De Sica’s work was to resonate through Italian cinema throughout the twentieth century, and to see his precise cinematography and emotional timing is to watch a master at work.
So if any of these flicks are your cup of tea, check out some Heathrow hotels and soak up some of the finest works the genre has to offer.
Catherine Halsey is based in Edinburgh and writes for a digital marketing agency.
Tips on How to Save Money at the Cinema
Visiting the cinema to see a new release film has become even more expensive these days. However, if you are on a tight budget it doesn’t mean that you have to give up on seeing films completely. There are many ways that you can reduce the cost of going to the cinema and make it an affordable entertainment option.
Here are some tips for saving money the next time you visit the cinema:
Take Advantage of Discounts
Are you a student? Are you under the age of 18? Are you over the age of 55? Then you might qualify for a discounted ticket. Check with your cinema chain about the student, youth and senior prices that they offer. Even if these prices are not advertised it never hurts to ask. Keep in mind that you might need to bring your student ID or driver’s licence to prove that you qualify.
Visit During the Slowest Times
There are many advantages to visiting the cinema when it is not busy, such as not having to wait in a queue to get your tickets, more choices of where to sit and a quieter atmosphere. Visiting during slow nights is also a way to save money, because cinemas usually offer discounts during these times to try to encourage business. If you visit a cinema on a weekday before 5pm (when everyone else is at work) or a very late weeknight screening (when everyone is in bed because they work the next day) you are likely to pay less for your ticket than on a weekend evening screening.
Don’t Bother With 3D
3D films are the newest trend in cinema, but are they really worth paying the extra money for? Usually the glasses that you have to wear are uncomfortable and the visuals end up looking blurry. Sometimes the theatres even charge you extra for the glasses which are another added expense. The characters, plot and dialogue are all just as good in 2D so think twice about whether or not the 3D effect is really worth it.
Eat Before the Film
Most of the time the reason why visiting the cinema is so expensive is because of the cost of food rather than the price of tickets. The popcorn, chocolates, soda and other treats have a huge mark-up, so fill your belly at home before you go see a film so you will not be tempted. You can also stash a few snacks from home in your bag, but be subtle!
Avoiding the unhealthy cinema snacks will not only help you save money but will also help you watch your weight and be healthier.
Be a Loyal Customer
If you visit the same cinema all of the time, it might be worth signing up for a loyalty card with than chain. Most of the cards will offer you incentives, discounts, savings on food and drink and much more. It is not just large cinema chains which offer these cards, as sometimes smaller and more independent movie houses will have loyalty cards as well. However, the card will only be worth it if you visit the same cinema frequently, so calculate how many times you go to the movies per month and what it would cost you without the card to find out if you will end up saving money.
Seeing a film in the cinema is a very enjoyable experience and you don’t need to give it up if you on a tight budget. If you can find discounted tickets and avoid paying extra for snacks and 3D, going to the cinema can still be an affordable source of entertainment.
If you are looking at the cinema listings with dismay because tickets are so expensive, here are some ways that you can save money when seeing that newest Hollywood blockbuster.
Catch all the Action at the Edinburgh International Film Festival
Enjoying the longest unbroken run of any film festival on planet Earth, the Edinburgh International Film Festival returns for its sixty-sixth year, its first under new artistic director Chris Fujiwara. After last year’s failed attempt to re-jig the festival on a greatly reduced budget, the EIFF is back in full force, with a huge international programme and closing with the European premiere of Pixar’s Scottish-set and female-led Brave.
The festival began in 1947, one of the very first international film festivals, soon becoming one of Edinburgh’s key arts attractions, retaining its emphasis on new work, audience edification and the promotion of filmmaking in Scotland and the UK at large. The festival has introduced to the UK a huge range of auteurs, such as Roberto Rosselini in its early years, a young Martin Scorcese in the 60s, the UK premiere of E.T., the early careers of Bill Forsyth, Stephen Soderbergh and Stephen Frears, and more recently a range of on-stage interviews with a variety of artists from Tilda Swinton to Judd Apatow to Ray Harryhausen.
Running from 20 June to 1 July, the Festival includes an impressive nineteen world premieres, thirteen international premieres, and a grand total of 121 new features, seventy-six of which are appearing in the UK for the first time. Fujiwara has said the programme reflects the ‘exceptionally vibrant’ state of modern cinema, saying that it presents ‘a fascinating story about where cinema is today, what it can learn from the past, and where it is going in the future.’
Part of the festival’s focus on the living tradition includes twenty-nine older titles in a series of Retrospectives and Special Screenings, which include the work of the neglected master of Japanese cinema Shinji Somai, and six of comedy director Gregory La Cava’s films from the 30s and 40s. The cult horror and comedy crowds are also catered to with a selection of Late-Night Movies showcasing the weird and wonderful of this year’s productions, including Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareham’s Tim and Eric’s Billion Dollar Movie, the premieres of Ian Clark’s Guinea Pigs and Jon Wright’s Grabbers and Boris Rodriguez’s Eddie the Sleepwalking Cannibal.
As if the premiere of Brave wasn’t enough, the festival also hosts a range of animated features, from the 3D car-sponsoring version of Dr Seuss’ environmentally prophetic The Lorax, to Romola Garai’s directing debut Scrubber, Joe Carter’s Funtimes and Revolutionary Memories of Bahman who Loved Leila by Sarahnaz Sharifi. Four art galleries around the city will also host free exhibitions and events related to the festival.
There is still plenty of time to look up some trains to Edinburgh and head up north for one of the most exciting celebrations of film in the UK. The festival website even includes a handy planner for you to figure out the best way to catch all the action you can handle. With so many new talents and seasoned veterans hitting the north, this year’s festival is one that shouldn’t be missed.
Catherine Halsey is based in Edinburgh and writes for a digital marketing company. This article links back to redspottedhanky.
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