Film HITLIST THE BEST FILM & DVD RELEASES
Ted Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane delivers one of the comedy hits of the year in this story of good-natured John and his foul- mouthed, talking teddy bear. See review page 56. General release from Wed 1 Aug.
Profile REBECCA THOMAS
Born 1984, Las Vegas. Background Having grown up in the Mormon faith, Thomas studied at Brigham Young University in Salt Lake City, before taking a graduate film production degree at Columbia University in New York. Her short film Nobody Knows, Nobody Gives a Damn premiered at Sundance in 2009. Her debut feature Electrick Children, a coming-of-age story about a Mormon teenager Rachel (played by Julia Garner) in Utah, who believes she is pregnant through an immaculate conception, was selected for the Berlin Film Festival earlier this year.
On the inspiration for Electrick Children ‘I was fascinated by stories of teenagers who were kicked out of their Mormon communities and who headed to Las Vegas still believing in their faith. And I really wanted to shoot a film in both the countryside of Southern Utah, where I have an extended family, and in Las Vegas where I grew up.’ On Mormonism ‘I’m no longer an active Mormon, but growing up as a mainstream Mormon has shaped the way I see family and friends and how I see the world. For me faith can be so many different things – it’s something that evolves. It can start from religion, and go somewhere else, and still be beautiful.’
On Julia Garner ‘I cast Julia just one week before shooting Electrick Children. She has a really interesting background, because she’s half- Israeli and grew up in New York. I wanted a young actress who could be innocent and brave and who looked angelic. There’s a depth in her eyes: you can see her character Rachel thinking and making decisions.’
Interesting Fact Aged 21, Thomas took a break from studying to spend 18 months as a Mormon missionary in Japan. ■ Electrick Children is on selected release from Fri 27 Jul.
The Dark Knight Rises Anticipation couldn’t be higher for the third of Christopher Nolan’s Batman films, following the success of Batman Begins and The Dark Knight. See review at list.co.uk, and feature, page 20. General release from Fri 20 Jul. Searching for Sugar Man Inspiring documentary about the search for obscure musician Rodriguez. See feature page 55 and review page 56. Selected release from Thu 26 Jul.
You’ve Been Trumped Film documenting local opposition to Donald Trump’s Aberdeenshire golf course development. See review at list.co.uk and preview, page 60. On selected release now.
In Your Hands Claustrophobic French kidnap drama with remarkable performances from lead actors Kristin Scott Thomas and Pio Marmaï. See review, page 56. Selected release from Fri 20 Jul. Nostalgia for the Light Sensitive docu-drama set in Chile’s Atacama desert, examining the country from a post-Pinochet perspective. See review, page 57. GFT, Glasgow, Fri 20–Sun 22 Jul.
Woody’s Goodies See the very best of Woody Allen’s back catalogue on the big screen with this retrospective including Hannah and Her Sisters, Broadway Danny Rose and Zelig. Filmhouse, Edinburgh until Thu 2 Aug.
Genius of Hitchcock: The Lodger A cinecast of Hitchcock’s early silent film The Lodger with a live soundtrack by Nitin Sawhney and the London Symphony Orchestra. See preview page 58. GFT, Glasgow, Sat 21 Jul.
Ritualised Frequencies Screen Bandita present a night of 16mm film and live music on the theme of ritual. See column, page 55. Church of the Sacred Heart, Lauriston St, Edinburgh, Sat 21 Jul.
Chariots of Fire Re-release of the 1981 classic, inspired by a true story, about Eric Liddle and Harold Abrahams and the challenges they faced competing in the 1924 Olympics. On selected release now.
54 THE LIST 19 Jul–2 Aug 2012