Edinburgh International Film Festival 2019: The Head Scratcher Recommends
The 73rd Edinburgh International Film Festival begins on the 19th June 2019 and there’s a rather daunting 84 page booklet out there with all the films screening over the following two weeks. When there’s so much on, some inspiration and guidance on what to see can be very welcome, so I’ve been through the full guide for you and picked out my own highlights from most of the categories. This list still contains more than 20 films, so a gold star goes to anyone who can fit them all in! Clicking the name of the film will take you straight to the info / booking page on the EIFF website. You’re welcome.
Best of British - a celebration of British film talent
Boyz In The Wood
This years’ Opening Night Gala is a black comedy where a group of boys get lost in the Highlands during a Duke of Edinburgh Awards excursion. Things quickly get out of hand when a pair of psychopaths begin hunting them down, motivated by a need to cleanse the countryside of ne’er do wells.
Schemers
Schemers is based on the true story of the writer’s experiences booking bands as a young lad in Dundee in the late 70s. Expect rough, biting banter set against bleak urban backdrops with a positive message reminding people that it’s OK to chase their dreams.
American Dreams - stories from across the pond
The Dead Don’t Die
A zombie comedy starring Bill Murray, Adam Driver, Chloe Sevigny, TIlda Swinton, Steve Buscemi, Iggy Pop…the list goes on. At this point does it even matter what the explanation for the dead coming back to life is? Probably not, but they’re back and terrorising the inhabitants of a sleepy American town.
The Vast of Night
The trailer really gives nothing away for The Vast of Night but the stylised 1950’s aesthetics and spooky sci-fi mystery soundtrack might just have you intrigued. What exactly was that sound played on the radio? It’s up for best international film, presumably for a reason.
European Perspectives - stories from across the channel
Ruben Brandt, Collector
Stunning looking Hungarian animation. Ruben Brandt is tormented by terrible nightmares involving 13 famous artworks. To get to the bottom of his problem he enlists Mimi to steal the paintings which cause him so much trouble. A stylish, unique and action packed experience.
Volcano
A dark, bleak, surreal black comedy from Ukraine following Lucas who, abandoned by the rest of his government team, has to make his away home across an unfamiliar landscape, encountering a variety of interesting locals along the way. Do you really need to know more?
World Perspectives - tales from around the globe
Bodies at Rest
Pulsating action from Hong Kong (and the director of Die Hard 2 no less) which takes place in a morgue. It’s also set on Christmas Eve; could we be arguing over whether Bodies at Rest is a Christmas movie in years to come?
Extreme Job (Geukhan jikeop)
Farcical action comedy from South Korea. A police narcotics team decide to buy over and run a fried chicken restaurant they’ve been using to stakeout a suspected meth lab. Finger licking good (sorry).
Documentaries - life documented
Memory: The Origins of Alien
Think you know everything there is to know about Ridley Scott’s seminal sci-fi horror? Think again. Memory delves deep into the origins of the classic film for its 40th Anniversary. In the movie theatre no-one can hear you scream…oh,wait.
Bludgeon
An entertaining and heartwarming film about a group of New Zealanders who take part in medieval combat (definitely not reenactments) in their spare time. We join the team as they prepare to attend their first international competition in Europe.
Night Moves - are you afraid of the dark?
Ever After (Endzeit)
A German adaptation of the zombie infested graphic novel. In Ever After, two women battle their way through the hordes and across the European countryside devastated by a catastrophic zombie plague.
The Furies
Horrifying masked men terrorise and hunt down women they’ve abducted for their cruel sport. A horrible, gory, frightening love letter to old-school slasher cinema. Hit up the late night showing for maximum fright.
No trailer for The Furies but this image tells you much of what you need to know.
Cage-a-rama 3D
An essential double bill of two of Nicolas Cage’s most ridiculous films in glorious 3D: Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance and Drive Angry. What better way to spend your weekend than in the presence of a screaming, bug eyed lunatic? I can’t think of a single one.
Focus on Spain - putting the spotlight on the Kingdom of Spain
Losers, Werewolves, Murderers - Spanish Web Cinema
A free screening and Q&A delving into Spanish short films and online series from around the web. Did I mention it was free? Yeah, it’s completely free so grab your tickets before they’re gone.
Losers, Werewolves, Murderers - did I mention it’s free?
Notes for a Heist Film (Apuntes ara una Pelicula de Atracos)
A documentary film maker, who has always wanted to make a heist movie, is invited to meet ‘The Vallecas Robin Hood’, one of Spain’s most wanted robbers. It’s nominated for best documentary feature film so worth checking out.
4 Views On Scotland - a wee keek at our beloved Alba
The Acid House
Three drug fuelled short films written by Irvine Welsh, directed by Paul McGuigan and filmed on the streets of Edinburgh. Essential viewing for fans of Trainspotting and bizarre, harsh takes on Scottish life. Check out the mad trailer for a surreal taster.
My Name is Joe
Set on the crumbling streets of Glasgow, My Name is Joe follows the titular recovering alcoholic keeping himself on the straight and narrow whilst becoming involved with a new love interest. Soon he has to make a difficult decision to save an old friend from a harsh retribution. I love how cheesy this old trailer is.
Once Upon A Time in Spain - more spanish stories
Birdboy: The Forgotten Children (Psiconautas, Los Ninos Olvidados)
A nightmarish and complex adaptation of the post apocalyptic graphic novel of the same name. The animation is beautiful and the often darkly comic story is enthralling. “There is light and beauty… even in the darkest of worlds.” It screens alongside the short film Decorado.
The Last Circus (Balada Triste de Trompeta)
“A sad clown goes to war with a happy clown” is the short tagline from EIFF…sounds fun. The Last Circus is ridiculous, brutally violent and exceptionally horrific; everything you want from a late night screening. Another insane trailer which, if you’re on the fence, will make your mind up for you. See also: Accion Mutante from the same director.
Special Events - very special screenings
Apocalypse Now: Final Cut
There’s not much more to be said about Apocalypse Now at this point but this Final Cut has been lovingly restored and remastered for the 40th Anniversary of the original release. The definitive version and a must see on the big screen.
Retrospective LIVE! - Black Wax
A wonderful blend of documentary and concert film that casts the spotlight on the legendary ‘bluesologist’ Gil Scott Heron. Expect poetry, hip-hop, reggae, politics and comedy throughout a perfectly restored version of the classic 1982 original. Prepare to have a bloody good time.
Phenomenal Women - a celebration of women in front and behind the camera
Laila at the Bridge
A fascinating look at the country of Afghanistan through the eyes of Laila ‘the mother of addicts’. We follow her as she cares for the locals in a crumbling society where 11% of the population is an addict. A free ticketed event.
Phenomenal Shorts: Syrian Stories, Female Voices
A series of seven short films focusing in on the perspective of Syrian women who have survived in, and escaped, a country suffering from constant conflict. An honest and heartbreaking look at the experiences and plight of refugees. A free ticketed event.
This list is just a small selection of some of the fantastic films The Edinburgh Film Festival has to offer in 2019. I hope you make it to see some of these films and please let me know what you think. Please also comment with your own picks.
On top of this there are a tonne of events and workshops planned celebrating everything in film so make sure you head over to edfilmfest.org.uk to see what’s happening.
Peace.
