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Edinburgh International Film Festival 2017 preview

The Edinburgh International Film Festival returns in just over a week, with another packed programme of exceptional films from around the world. From exclusive World Premieres, the best of independent cinema, short films, documentaries, and fascinating retrospectives, EIFF once again has all bases covered.

Kicking things off are the highly anticipated Gala screenings of God’s Own Country and England is Mine, as well as the UK premiere of Cars 3, continuing EIFF’s strong relationship with Disney Pixar.

An incredible line-up of filmmaking talent have also been confirmed to attend the festival, for In Person events, Q&As, and red carpet appearances. Confirmed to attend so far are Stanley Tucci, Kevin Bacon, Juliet Stevenson, Jessica Brown Findlay, Kyra Segdwick, David Arnold, Kate Dickie, Bernard Hill, Richard E. Grant, and Oliver Stone.

In the acclaimed Best of British strand, look out for the Toby Jones starring psychological thriller Kaleidoscope, and the moving family drama That Good Night with Charles Dance and the late, great John Hurt. Also worth seeking out are Danny Huston’s The Last Photograph, the searing abuse drama Romans, starring Orlando Bloom, and the World Premiere of Bryn Higgins’ Access All Areas.

This year’s American Dreams strand maintains the EIFF tradition of showcasing the best new talent from the US indie scene, alongside the passion projects of some of Hollywood’s biggest hitters. There’s the vibrant coming-of-age comedy-drama Freak Show directed by Trudie Styler, alongside the psychedelic animation My Entire High School Sinking into the Sea. 

Elsewhere in this strand you will find the Holly Hunder starring revenge drama Strange Weather, the Alaskan noir Sweet Virginia with Jon Bernthal and Imogen Poots, and the romantic Paris Can Wait starring Alec Baldwin and Diane Lane. The hottest ticket in this strand will no doubt be for the latest Terrence Malick film, Song to Song, starring Michael Fassbender, Rooney Mara, Natalie Portman, and Ryan Gosling.

If world cinema is more your thing, be sure to check out the European and World Perspectives strands, where you will find epic Russian sci-fi Attraction, WWII drama 1945, the stylish Spanish drama Sister of Mine, and the taut Icelandic thriller The Oath. Also look out for Bong Joon Ho’s Okja. Fresh from its controversial screening at Cannes, the Tilda Swinton starring fantasy drama makes it Scottish Premiere at EIFF 2017, before it lands on Netflix.

The fabled Night Moves strand continues its reputation of bringing the darkest and strangest new horror and genre cinema to the festival. Highlights of this year’s weird and wonderful selection includes the violent and funny Double Date, the latest cult film from the crazy mind of Takeshi Miike, The Mole Song – Hong Kong Capriccio, and the nerve shredding Killing Ground.

If you love a good retrospective (and who doesn’t), especially with a special guest thrown in for good measure, then EIFF 2017 most definitely delivers. Legendary director and Academy Award winning screenwriter Oliver Stone will present a screening of his era-defining classic Wall Street. If you happen to have gone on holiday by mistake, then why not pop into the 30th Anniversary screening of Withnail and I, introduced by Richard E. Grant.

If that is not enough, Usher Hall will be presenting a screening of Raiders of the Lost Ark accompanied by the fabulous Royal Scottish National Orchestra.

 

The 71st Edinburgh International Film Festival runs from 21st June to 2nd July 2017. Tickets are available here

John Parker
John Parker
John is a freelance writer and film reviewer for Entertainment Focus.

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