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‘WE WANT A US SPINOFF TV SHOW CALLED GOBLINOID'
Eddie Harrison goes down to the woods today and meets the talents behind a new Scottish fantasy film
i he elevator pitch for (iuim'r: is that‘s it's a I bittersweet love—triangle set in (ilasgow
University's Dungeons and Dragons society.‘ says one-time role-playing geek and now film actor. writer and director Robbie l-‘raser (pictured. right). llis low-budget Scottish featttre is finally getting a cinema release. a year after being shown on television an unusual situation that owes its roots to the film's conception.
‘Scottish Screen were running this scheme with S'l'V called New Found l‘ilms. and tnaking (iunm': for thetn offered inc a low mental-overhead way to get started on a new project] says liraser. ‘lt was meant to be a competition. but it didn't feel like a cut- throat competition to tis. maybe because we weren‘t being horribly rejectedf
With a paltry £300,000 budget at his disposal. Fraser admits. "l‘here was no way to get a cast who would ptit bums on seats.‘ He decided to call on his local talent pool to portray the weird and wonderful world of gaming.
‘My character. Lenny Mitchell. is a lovable rogue.‘ says actor James Young. 'lle wants to get involved in
the game because he saw the triple bill of Lord ()i'
The Rings alter taking acid. There's also a love spark between him and another character. Marlyn. which drives him a bit mad.‘
Co-star Johnny :\tlsiili describes his character Davey“ as a ‘bardcore geek. who. together with Hank [Ross Sutherland] makes tip half of a comedy duo. the film‘s (‘3P0 and (‘hewbaccaf
Apart from the constant use of certain profane terms. there‘s not much specifically Scottish about (Jame/t. but Fraser believes that his film taps into the same vein of naturalistic comedy as Gregory's (iirl.
44 THE LIST 14—35 Feb L308
‘I would definitely place it in the lBilll l‘orsythian tradition. While it‘s a teen movie it's not a piss-take btit a humanistic. character driven comedy. I ttsed to play Dungeons and Dragons as a teenager. and I knew that world would be perfect for an offbeat. quirky little film.’ lattghs liraser. ‘We're developing a sequel set in North America with a Scottish protagonist. and a potential spin-off called I'm a (firmer 7im.’ Or maybe the sequel could be called (iumvr: lily/um] Safely with a spin-off TV show called (rub/innit]:
Since (iumt'r: and Adrian Mead‘s Night I’r'up/t’ were made in 2005. the New Found scheme has been abandoned by Scottish Media (iroup and Scottish Screen. the latter also dismantling the Tartan Shorts initiative which had been intended as a springboard
for Scottish filmmakers. But liraser sees plenty of
positives as he prepares for the film‘s release in Scotland.
"l‘he whole thing has a really optimistic vibe: the characters are moving on and tip. and at the end of the film. educational establishments are seen as the way forward and even a character like Lennie is brought round to the benefits of learning.’ he says. ‘The whole
experience reminds me of a favourite expression of the producers which we‘ve learned over a couple of
years of hanging otit in Cannes. begging people to buy our film. They refer to us not as bottom-feeders. which is often how we feel. btit as “ankle-biters". It's all about your orientation. it's about finding out which way you‘re biting.~
Gamerz, Cineworld Flenfrew Street, Glasgow and Cineworld Fountainpark, Edinburgh from Fri 22 Feb. Gamer: will be released on DVD in July.
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THE BEST FILM & DVD RELEASES
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II! There Will Be Blood Paul Thomas Anderson returns with a magnificent oil prospector epic. See review. page 45. General release from Fri 15 Feb.
Ii! Glasgow Film Festival The best new cinema from around the world hits the west. See feature. page 22. www.glasgowfilmtestival.org.uk Various venues, Glasgow, Thu 74-Sun 24 Feb.
3|! All the Boys Love Mandy Lane Surprisingly good teen slasher. See review, page 47. Selected release from Fri 75 Feb.
it The italian Exemplary orphan on the run/road childrens' film. See review, page 48. Filmhouse, Edinburgh, Fri 22— Tue 26 Feb. lit Reel Afghanistan Scotland ’3 first ever Afghan festival of Cinema and Culture. See preview, page 48. www.reelafghanistan.org Filmhouse, Edinburgh from Fri 21 Feb.
III Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead Superior heist thriller. Out now on general release.
It The Dlvlng Bell and the Butterfly Intelligent adaptation of Jean-Dominique Bauby's autobiographical book. Out now on selected release. * Juno Charming teen pregnancy comedy. Out now on general release.
lit Azur and Asmar: The Princes’ Trust Gilt edged French animation. Filmhouse, Edinburgh until Thu 27 Feb.
* No Country For Old Men Stunning Cormac McCarthy adaptation. Out now on general release.
* Inglorious Bastards Brilliant nihilistic 1978 war film gets a long overdue DVD release. Tarantino owns the remake rights. See review. page 62. Out Mon 18 Feb (Optimum).