This year’s Glasgow Film Festival runs from 16th to 26th February in different venues across the city. This is the 8th edition of the festival and the programme is packed with different kinds of events, from film screenings to gigs or workshops. Allan Hunter, co-director of the festival states that the philosophy of GFF is showcasing the very best of world cinema without any prejudice or snobbery.
“This year’s programme is a rich and diverse selection of prize-winners and premieres from around the globe and around the corner. We bring the best films we can to Glasgow and provide a platform for the finest Scottish films to engage the world.”
Here at GeekOverture we’ve made a selection of the films and events you shouldn’t miss during this year’s edition!
Your Sister's Sister via ShockYa
The opening Gala will feature Your Sister’s Sister by Lynn Shelton, director of Humpday (which won the Special Jury Prize in Sundance 09). This comedy-drama examines the bonds of sisterhood and deals with the grieving process. Jack has recently lost his brother and is invited to spend some time in a cabin owned by Iris, Jack’s brother’s ex-girlfriend. When he gets to the cabin he finds Iris’ sister Hannah, who has also decided to go to the cabin after breaking up with her longtime girlfriend. From there the plot develops into an awkward sexual incident between both of them and the arrival of Iris to the cabin.
The closing film will be Cannes 2011 FIPRESCI Prize-winning film Le Havre from Finnish director Aki Kaurismäki. This film is thought to be the first instalment of a trilogy about life in port cities. Marcel is an aging shoe shiner who befriends an African boy who has recently arrived to Le Havre in a cargo ship. Marcel and some neighbours will try their best to help him hide from the police and plan an illegal trip to take the boy to England.
Ecstasy by Rob Heydon is based on The Undefeated, one of the shorts stories from Irvine Welsh’s book Ecstasy: Three Tales of Chemical Romance . Heather is bored of her middle class life and alienated marriage, she is introduced to the rave scene of the 90s and meets Lloyd, with whom she starts a relationship. The couple spends most of their time under the influence of drugs and they ask themselves if they love illicit substances or if they actually love each other.
American independent drama In the Family will also have its UK premiere at the festival. Chip is a six year old boy who has been happily raised by Cody (Chip’s biological father) and Joey, a gay couple. When Cody dies suddenly in a car accident, Joey finds out that Cody’s sister had been named as Chip’s guardian. Chip is taken away from him and Joey tries to gain recognition of his part in the boy’s life.
There are also documentaries in this year’s programme. Buck tells the story of Buck Brannaman, the man who inspired Robert Redford’s character in The Horse Whisperer. The documentary goes through the life of Buck, from his early years as a child rodeo star to his current career with horses.
As part of the Music and Film Festival, a selection of documentaries and gigs will take place during the festival. No One But Me is the story of jazz singer Annie Ross, from being a precocious child star raised in Glasgow to becoming a living legend. She will also perform two gigs and will take part in the Q&A following the screening.
Don’t forget to check the festival’s site for timings and job opportunities for next year’s edition. They are always looking for a variety of volunteers, from photographers to people that has previously worked in marketing jobs to promote the festival.
And also take a look at this Bundlr for more trailers, images and information on events during the festival!
Are you planning on going to Glasgow Film Festival? What are your film choices? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!
