Depp's pirate dad is a tree- climber
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Film Festival travels beyond the stars
Director Danielsen goes back to basics with eclectic 60th anniversary programme. Words: Allan Radcliffe
his year‘s lidinburgh International Film l‘estiyal
programme l‘eatures a compelling mix of
headline—grabbing star appearances and intriguing thematic strands.
Launching his linal liestiyal in charge. director Shane Danielsen said he wanted ‘to recapture that l'eeling you had when you lirsi went to the movies.‘ Certainly. the much—ti'umpeted appearance by l'es'tiyal patron Sean (‘onnery will transport the Bond star back to his cinematic heyday. with the screening (it his l‘)(i7 lilm The Bow/er (Hill I/It‘ Runner.
Opening with Johnny Lee-MilIer-starring (iraham ()bree biopic. The Flying .S'i‘ols'mun. the two-week liestiyal also plays host to such Hollywood A-listcrs as (‘hai'Ii/e Theron and Sigourney Weaver as well as directors Steyen Soderbergh and Keyin Smith. crossing the pond to promote (‘lt'rks' 2.
Beyond such ra/lle da/lle. the festival has also programmed a number ol‘ sub-sections. including ‘l)as Neu \N'aycl‘ and ‘State ol~ lndependents' which celebrate (ierman and American indie cinema respectiyely with a
. ..; i_-"‘- rbergh (left) and y .i . L- -Mi|ler as The- Flying
, ' ' , ' - Scotsman, Graham Obree ’4 7-.
yariety of world premieres. while 'Mirrorball" showcases the most exhilarating. beaiitil‘ul music promos around.
The l‘csliyal‘s major i'etrospectiye tackles the work (it
that oil-oyerlook’cd casually oi Hollywood‘s (ioldcn Age. Mitchell l.eisen. whose work ranged from the screwball comedy liusy living to the comic road moy ie. Remember I/H' .N'ig/il. "l‘hcy Might Be (iiants' remembers the also—rans oi the New American ('iiiema ol' the l‘)7()s. such as Harry Shear's .‘it'l'()\\ //()i/i .S'm'i'l and Peter Ilyams‘ liiisii’iig. Danielsen belieyes that many ol' them haye been unlairly ‘written out oi history‘. Proceedings end on a hiin with ()(l(/ .lluii (hit. the ('arol Reed-directed. .lames Mason-starring classic. made in l‘)-l7. the year the l'estiyal was inaugurated.
While audiences w ill ultimately \ote on the strength (it
this year's programme with their l'eet. outgoing director Danielsen is more than salislictl with the cll‘orts ol' his team. ‘I'ye |i\ ed with and lor this l'cstiyal lor the years.~ he said. ‘and i really don't think we could hayc done better than this.‘
www.edfilmfest.org.uk
NEW ARENA HOPES FOR
THE COMMONWEALTH TOUCH
I Glasgow’s bid for the 2014 Commonwealth Games has been boosted by the greenlighting of a £62 million, state-of-the-art sports arena. The 12,500- seat stadium, designed by Foster and Partners, the team behind the Armadillo, is to be built alongside the existing SECC complex on the banks of the Clyde, and could be ready by 2010. The project will go ahead regardless of which city is awarded the games, and it is hoped that the stadium will entice major music names to the city. The games lobby has welcomed this news, pointing to the regeneration a successful bid could bring about while promoting Scotland to an international audience. (AR)
I Award-winning photographer Alistair Devine, who has previously snapped Elton John and Sophia Loren, is searching for 30 people to appear naked in a project celebrating the ‘eclectic, bohemian and artistic spirit of Glasgow’s west end’. The shoot will take place behind the closed doors of a new bar in Byres Road on the morning of Sunday 23 July. If you are interested in getting your kit off in the name of art, contact Laura Mcllquham or Claire Morrison on 0141 222 2266. naked@dada.co.uk.
I With the beer spills lrom this year's beano barely mopped up. 35,000 advance tickets for next year's T in the Park have sold out in just over an hour. While disappointed tans Wlll have an opportunity to buy more tickets tollowmg next year’s otticnal launch, organisers are again warning that forged tickets and those bought from touts Wlll not be accepted.
I The National Library of Scotland kicks off its series, The Bridge Readings, with an appearance by novelist and stand-up comedian AL Kennedy (Thu 27 Jul, 7pm). The monthly showcase of free events continues with celebrated Edinburgh chronicler Laura Hird (Thu 17 Aug), reading from her new short story collection, and a rare outing from Lanark author Alasdair Gray (Wed 20 Sep).
'1 VI: /“ 1’; .i’llfyt 7