SCOTTISH FILM
SCOTTISH FILM
I Initiation: Scotland’s current flurry of filmmaking continues as another of this year‘s Tartan Shorts Initiation wrapped after a week-long shoot at the end of May. The film is the second of three projects this year involving Glasgow-based Wiseguise Productions: Hard Nut — A Love Story. part of the Prime Cuts scheme. is now completed and The Whirlpool. another short. will begin production in June.
Initiation written and directed by Martin McCardic. is set in the rough surroundings of a cement factory. where the proprietor (Sean McGinley) wants to mould his son (Steven Duffy from Small Faces) in his own image. The film was shot on location at the WI) & HO Wills Factory in Dennistoun. using a budget of £55000 (£45000 from the Scottish Film Production Fund/B BC Scotland Tartan Shorts scheme atrd an additional ii I 0.000 frotn National Lottery funding).
I ilonnan McLaren Proiect: The work of the late Norman McLaren. one of the world‘s most innovative animators. is the inspiration for four school groups making their own contribution to art. This week. two groups have been making their own animated films along with Edinburgh Film Workshop Trust. while. from l7 June. Ninian Perry and the Paragon Ensemble lead young musicians in composing new music for McLaren’s films. The results can be seen. along with some McLaren classics. at a special screening and performance on Fri 2| June. Contact the MacRobert Box Office on ()l786 46108! for details.
I Film Degree Shows: The most recent work by Edinburgh-based film and video students can be seen at the Filtnhouse over the next few weeks in special compilation programmes. The dates are: Stevenson College. Mon l7: Telford College. Wed l9; Edinburgh College of Art. Thtrrs 20/Fri 2 l 1 and Napier University. Mon 24. See listings for further details. A review round-up of the shows will appear trext issue.
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Independents showcase
The stirrings of an independent film scene in Edinburgh may have been pushed a stage further with the inaugural screening of five films by a group of like-minded young itapier University filmmakers who have pulled together under the collective banner ‘lndependents’.
Martin Smith’s Social boasts well- developed dialogue and boldly suggests that the real meaning of life lies in, elrm, aerobics. Interesting Times, by Simon Dennis, puts a dark twist on death, resurrection and notions of iieaven and Hell. Wayne Scott’s 27 takes a documentary trip along the capital’s No 27 bus route - from llunter’s Tryst, through the city centre, to Muirhouse - talking to
n .~ A
Social: the meaning of life lies in aerobics
different people en route and building a sense of the social diversity of the city.
The revival of the musical could rest in worse hands than Alan Saywell’s, whose Pile DI clothes might not boast MGM production values, but shows an infectious determination to entertain. Introverted Syd fancies Rita the launderette girl, and even changes his image to that of an Australian tourist to win her heart. Bold and funny, but a little clumsy in the dialogue department.
Best contribution this time round came from Robin Coulthard, whose film The Summer Tree links the cyclical nature of one man’s life to a particular tree in a forest. Simple, beautiful and touching, The Summer Tree makes excellent use of its original music soundtrack - as do all the films on show. (Alan Morrison)
Independents can be contacted at 10 Ettrick Grove, Edinburgh,
EH10 MW (0131 228 8660).
VIDEOS
RENTAL
I The Brothers McMullan ( 15) Three Irish-American brothers discuss their troubled relationships — lack of commitment. too much commitment — itr newcomer Edward Burns‘ charming comedy. Boosted by a wonderful screenplay. the actors let their characters slowly emerge onto the screen through deceptively laid- back performances. So warm and welcoming. you‘ll feel part of the family. (20th Century Fox-Guild)
I The Babysitter ( l8 ) (‘lueleszv's Alicia Silverstone is the childtnindcr irr question. an object of lust for the local tough guy. her gagging-for-it boyfriend atrd the sleazy father of her charges. One evening. the men Irave misogynistic fantasies about her (but without the gratuitous kit-off scenes we might expect). It's done in a way that clearly ridicules the male characters while playing to a similarly drooling audience. suggesting it's okay to reduce a blonde teenager to nothing more than a body. (First
.; ‘5. ’
34 Also out: Sylv
rroblewomarr Juliette Binoche and. repressing their emotional and sexual feelings. they head across a Europe that has been devastated by cholera. Beautiful scenery. even more beautiful cast. (Artificial Eye/20th Century Fox rental: also retail. £15.99) I Dream Man (18) In what's becoming an overused plot device. Patsy Kensit is a cop with psychic abilities. which usually puts her one step ahead of the bad guys. When the rich wife of Andrew McCarthy is found dead. however. she finds her emotions clouding her powers. lnsipid acting. unbelievable characters. a story whose twists aren't as surprising as it thinks. Don‘t even pretend to take this seriously. (First
lndepetrdent) Independent) I Tess (PO) A young and _ very lovely Nastassia Kinski stars Ill Roman I The White Balloon (U)
Polanski's acclaimed version of Thomas Hardy's novel less (If T/lt’ D'Urln'n'i/lt'x. The writer's thematic obsessions are well handled. makirtg this a literary tragedy of the first order. This widescreen video release also reminds tts of the beauty of Polanski's touch. which brought the film three ()scars (appropriately enough. for costumes. cinematography atrd art direction). (20th Century Fox-Guild rental/20th Century Fox retail.
fl l 2.99)
I The Horseman Do The Boot ( l5) Jean-Paul Rappeneau's follow-up to the immensely successful Cyrano [)0 Bergerac is a period adventure that meanders rather than gallops through its epic landscape. Hussar ()livier Martinez meets
Young Razieh is determined to buy a goldfish for Iranian New Year. but when her mother gives her a 500 tortratr note. site begins an everyday adventure which. for her. takes on epic proportions. Innocence in a world that counters exploitation with simple kindness. the young non-professional actress is a joy to watch - when she smiles. she lights tip the screen. Counting down to the New Year celebrations in real time concentrates the plot. while the emotional level of this wonderful film ensures more tension than most Hollywood thrillers can hope to achieve. An earlier (and to my mind even better) exatnple of Iranian realist cinema is Amir Naderi's The Runner (PC). in which a tousle-haired boy scaven ms to survive.
Also out: Ethan llawke and Jule oelpy get romantic in Before Sunrise (Columbia Tristar retail, £12.99)
r Stallone Is the old-school hard guy n
Assassins (Warner, rental) selling iced water or shining shoes. Stripped to a bare narrative. the frlm loses none of its power to draw viewers into this poverty-stricken world. And yet there are moments of great joy — children running at play. at work. to catch. to escape; shouting at boats and planes in simple excitement. Two films that are so good. you'll bully people to buy a copy. Alternatively. try to win them on the Cornpetitiotrs Page. (Electric. f l 5.99 each)
I The Castle 0f Cagliostro (PG) Anitnt' comes to the Riviera. as two likeable criminals rob the Monaco Casino. discover the money‘s fake. and go to the tiny country that‘s producing the plroney money to get into the scam. This old- style caper in cartoon form then becomes an updated fairy tale as our heroes rescue a princess from the nasty count- cum-counterfeiter. A funny. fast-moving. very appealing romantic adventure. (Manga.
£ l 3.99)
I Demon Seed ( IS ) Back itr I977. when computers were an unknown commodity. along came this thriller about a highly intelligent machine that wants to reproduce itself via Julie Christie. Dated but distinctive designs (in widescreen) combine with intriguing environmental atrd evolutionary issues. But rape by computer is still rape. so while the horror is given a philosophical dimension. the premise is a basic woman-in-peril scenario. (Beyond Vision. £12.99)
I The Time Machine (PG) George Pal’s screen translation of H.G. Wells novel becomes a strong anti-war fantasy with special effects that were groundbreaking in its day (I960) and quaintly appealing now. Rod Taylor leaves I899 behind and flips through World Wars I. II and Ill until. way into the future. he comes across the passive Eloi and the mutant Morlocks. but returns with new optimism. (Beyond Vision. £IO.99)
The List l4-27 Jun I996 27