It’s been a long three years since we’ve had a proper film festival in the capital. After an online 2020 iteration and a clever hybrid version last year, EIFF is back in all its glory its 75th edition in 2022, albeit a little later in the calendar. Split into various strands including Heartbreakers, Night Moves, The Chamber, and Postcards from the Edge, the programme offers an eclectic mix of cinema that should have something to satisfy any film-goer. I’ve perused the brochure to pick out a selection that I have my eye on…
Aftersun
After receiving rave reviews out of Cannes earlier in the year, the Opening Gala screening is the UK premiere of father-and-daughter story Aftersun. The directorial debut of Scottish filmmaker Charlotte Wells, it stars Paul Mescal and Frankie Corio and has been described as an ‘absolute miracle’ of a film.
Juniper
A New Zealand production, the iconic Charlotte Rampling is at the centre of Matthew Saville’s feature debut Juniper. Her performance in Andrew Haigh’s stunning marital drama 45 Years was amongst my highlights of EIFF’s 2015 programme, so I’m always intrigued to see her in a leading role.
My Small Land
Another directorial debut, this time from Emma Kawawada, who studied under the mentorship of Japanese auteur Hirokazu Kore-eda, known for Shoplifters, Nobody Knows, and many others. The plot follows teenage girl Sarya (Lina Arashi) as she navigates the differences in culture between her Kurdish past and her Japanese present.
Heading West: a story about a band called Shooglenifty
If the title doesn’t give it away, this documentary explores the past, present, and future of Edinburgh-based Celtic fusion outfit Shooglenifty. Directed by Don Coutts, the film promises a unique musical journey as it follows the original members on their road to success and will focus on the sad passing of their front man, Angus Grant.
It is In Us All
The latest piece from Irish writer and director Antonia Campbell-Hughes, It is In Us All is dark, stylish drama that follows a man in traumatic emotional territory. The leading performance comes from the multi-talented actor and musician Cosmo Jarvis, a powerful screen presence that I have followed closely since his turns in Calm with Horses, Nocturnal, and Peaky Blinders.
Edinburgh Film Festival will run across various venues in the city from Friday 12th August through to Saturday 20th August.
Cinema Perspective 