Several years ago, on this blog, I wrote a
sulky response to failures at the EIFF.
From an audience member’s point of view,
the festival wasn’t about us anymore, and aware as I am how important it is to
spoil promoters and industry types, it is important that audiences get a fair
deal. Priced out of the festival, I didn’t see a single film in 2011.
2013 seems to be the year OF the audience.
Several different price bands for repeat visits is all that’s required to get
many people buying tickets for more films than they can realistically schedule
into 10 days. With more of a do and less of a moan, here are my
selections so far for this year’s Edinburgh International Film Festival.
Fri 21, Sun 23 June.
A documentary about Billie Jean King taking
on former men’s tennis champion and self-proclaimed male chauvinist pig Bobby
Riggs (who ironically I’ve never heard of) after he claimed at the age of 55 he
could beat any woman. I don’t know whether I’ll be angry, or enthused, but I’m
happy with either. Apparently there’s a great soundtrack… 1973? Expect Suzi Quatro, Bowie and err, Slade…
Tue 25, Thu 27 June.
Without fail the EIFF guide always
seduces me with its promo images. And Blackbird was the first image to sell a
film to me, 3 pages in. Kinda pathetic. A UK film, Blackbird isn’t the first
film to bemoan the loss of talent in villages and the lure of the big city. But as
folk music is both wrecking-ball bashing (Mumford and Blah) and beautifully
seeping back (village open mic nights) into the common consciousness, I
couldn’t resist the idea of it seeping into the film festival as it should be,
played by people that have lived and learnt. Let's be aware of
the legacy of older generations – and how if we don’t share their stories now,
they won’t be around forever, a strong sentiment for celluloid.
Sat 22, Sun 23 June.
There’s been a lot of press coverage of
Sofia Coppola’s new film. So there’s little to add here. Two weekends ago,
battered by hen dos, weddings and weekends away, I spent the whole Sunday catching
up on films, including Coppola’s 2010 Somewhere, which is absolutely superb,
subtle, self-aware and a real insight. Looking forward to the follow up.
Sat 22, Thu 27 June.
Triumph in adversity on trapeze? What’s
not to love?
Another gorgeous image pulled me to
this, coal miner Kim Yong-Mi and her dreams of joining the circus becoming
reality. A reassuring premise for the PR who dreams of joining the circus.
The copy is like candyfloss. We’ll see
if the film turns out to be full of air or real spun sugar.
Wed 26, Thu 27, Fri 28 June.
Billy Boyd doing some kind of Hip Hop?
In.
Fri 28, Sat 29 June.
Georgia Mother of the Year 2010. I’ve
never seen a Georgian film before, and this seems like a stirring premise.
Could this highlight the twisted nature of our obsession with the mums in
popular culture? The Dutchess HAS A BUMP. Stacey Soloman HAD A FAG. Kerry
Katona WRONG RIGHT WRONG RIGHT. Katie Holmes LEFT HUSBAND TO PROTECT CHILD IN
LILY POTTER TYPE STAND OFF. Coleen
Rooney WHY ALWAYS K? Everyone POST BABY BODIES. Everyone ON THE SCHOOL RUN.
Everyone HAS TO HAVE IT ALL. Everyone KEEP SMILING.
Sun 23, Mon 24 June.
An adaptation of the Man Booker
Prize-winning novel by John Banville. Always interesting to see novel adaptions
without the $300mil price tag, and it wouldn’t be the EIFF without at
least one Irish film under my belt.
So that's the initial list of tickets bought on one of the excellent bulk ticket deals.
I will attempt to wang on on here about some of the above - if you'd like to come with me to any of these films, tweet me and I'll email you the dates I'm going.
