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GOD HELP THE GIRL Stuart Murdoch’s debut fi lm gets a Glasgow outing
I t’s a good summer for Belle and Sebastian fans. Not only is the Glaswegian indie pop group kicking off the Commonwealth Games festivities with a gig in the recently restored Kelvingrove Bandstand (Wed 23 Jul, see preview, page 85) but the much-anticipated film God Help the Girl from frontman Stuart Murdoch also reaches cinemas.
Some might remember that the God Help the Girl project initially took the form of a girl group singing songs written by Murdoch. A self-titled album was released in 2009, and shooting for the film started a few years later in 2012. Described as a ‘musical feature’ (expect plenty of songs, of course), it stars actors Emily Browning, Olly Alexander and Hannah Murray in a story about a girl called Eve who starts writing songs after being released from hospital where she was been dealing with mental health issues.
The film premiered at the Sundance
Festival in January, with the Guardian’s Xan Brooks saying ‘If you’re a fan of Murdoch’s whimsical, maundering music then no doubt you’ll relish his whimsical, maundering picture.’ It looks like God Help the Girl is set to delight Belle and Sebastian fans. The feature itself is released in late August, but there are a handful of preview screenings taking place at the Glasgow Film Theatre before then, with one offering the chance to pose questions to Stuart Murdoch about the making of the film. (Gail Tolley)
GFT, Glasgow, Sat 16 Aug–Thu 28 Aug (not 18, 19, 20, 21). The screening on Sat 16 Aug is accompanied by a live satellite performance and the screening on Sun 17 Aug will be followed by a Q&A with Stuart Murdoch and cast from the film. On selected release from Fri 29 Aug.
HITLIST THE BEST FILM RELEASES & EVENTS
✽ Begin Again Hugely likeable New York fairytale from the director of Once, starring
Keira Knightley, James Corden and Mark Ruffalo. See review, page 75. General release from Fri 11 Jul.
✽ Boyhood Richard Linklater’s latest film is a coming of age drama that was filmed over 12 years and captures young actor Ellar Coltrane as he grows up. See review, page 74. General release from Fri 11 Jul.
✽ Finding Vivian Maier In 2007
John Maloof discovered hundreds of film negatives that turned out to be the work of unknown photographer Vivian Maier. In this poignant documentary he pieces together her extraordinary life. See review, page 76. Selected release from Fri 18 Jul.
✽ Grand Central Authentic-feeling love story set against the backdrop of a nuclear power
plant. See review, page 76. Selected release from Fri 18 Jul.
✽ Joe Moody, backwater drama from US director David Gordon Green with a powerful performance by Nicolas Cage. See review, page 75. Selected release from Fri 25 Jul.
✽ God Help the Girl See preview, left. GFT, Glasgow, Sat 16 –Thu 28 Aug.
✽ Found Footage Festival VHS fans
Joe Pickett and Nick Prueher guide you through
the gems they’ve picked up at second hand shops and car boot sales. Expect a helluva lot of laughs (and 80s hair dos). See column, page 77. Grosvenor, Glasgow, Tue 22 Jul; Filmhouse, Edinburgh, Wed 23 Jul.
10 Jul–21 Aug 2014 THE LIST 73