In the year that Allan Hunter is set to step down from his duties as co-director after 15 years at the helm, Glasgow Film Festival is back with a typically exciting and eclectic line-up. Opening with Adura Onashile’s mother-daughter drama Girl (my podcast review) and closing with Nida Manzoor’s action comedy Polite Society, the selection is split into strands that include its Official Competition, Viva el Cine Español, and of course Frightfest! After perusing the programme, here are five that I have my eye on…
The Five Devils
After penning the film that topped my Top 20 Films of 2022 list, Léa Mysius is in the director’s seat for fantasy drama The Five Devils starring Adèle Exarchopoulos. Aside from its screenings in Glasgow, this film will also be shown at the festival’s Nationwide Cinema Partners up and down the country.
I Like Movies
A film for film fans about a film fan, I Like Movies is a Canadian comedy that centres around cinephile Lawrence who gets a job at his local video store. It’s written and directed by Chandler Levack and is her debut feature.
Paris Memories
Earlier this month, Virginie Efira won a César Award for her leading role in Alice Winocour’s latest drama Paris Memories. This prize sees her successful 2023 run continue after she was awarded for her performance in Other People’s Children (my review) at the Lumières Awards back in January. Both of these films will screen in this year’s programme.
God’s Creatures
Psychological drama God’s Creatures is the latest output from hipster distributors A24, and is directed by the duo of Saela Davis and Anna Rose Holmer. Set in a remote Irish fishing village, the plot explores a troubled relationship between mother Aileen (Emily Watson) and her estranged son Brian (Paul Mescal) who has recently returned home.
Smoking Causes Coughing
His black comedy Deerskin was a hit at the festival back in 2019, and now absurdist writer and director Quentin Dupieux is back with his latest piece Smoking Causes Coughing. It will headline the Frightfest strand and features an ensemble cast including Gilles Lellouche, Anaïs Demoustier, and the aforementioned Adèle Exarchopoulos.
Glasgow Film Festival will run from 1st to 12th March and tickets are available now! Check out the full programme at the official festival website.
Cinema Perspective 