GLASGOW Film Festival will kick things off on the 15th February, and tickets to their smorgasbord of incredible films will go on sale on Monday 23rd January.
The programme is bursting with a diverse and eclectic mix of films, featuring grassroots projects coming from rural areas of Scotland, and eagerly anticipated films like the festival’s closing picture, Mad To Be Normal, starring fan favourite David Tennant.
Here’s a pick of 15 not-to-be-missed gems from the festival, along with some fabulous bonuses that the festival offers.
1. Handsome Devil
Opening the 2017 fest, Handsome Devil is a charmer of a film which follows 16-year-old Ned (Fionn O’Shea) who, much to his horror, is sent to a testosterone-fuelled all-boys Irish boarding school. An unlikely friendship with star rugby player Conor (Nicholas Galitzine) and inspiration from teacher Dan Sherry (Andrew Scott) gives the film real heart and helps Ned to deal with a world that doesn’t always seem to have a place for him.
Wed 15th February; doors open at 6.30pm, film starts at 7.30pm. Tickets are £15 / £13, price includes entry to the after-party at 29 Glasgow.
2. Celtic Soul
Follow Canadian star Jay Baruchel (Goon, How to Train Your Dragon) and Fox Sports Commentator Eoin O’Callaghan as they realise a life-long dream of making the pilgrimage to see Celtic in action in Glasgow. Along the way, Jay traces his roots in Ireland and the two take in the sights and sounds of Scotland. Warm, funny, and not just for football fans.
Sunday 26th Feb, 4pm
3. Benny
From tough beginnings in the Gorbals, Benny Lynch came to be known as the greatest Scottish boxer in history. This documentary uses archive footage, animated sequences and interviews with modern boxers to celebrate Benny’s short but remarkable life. Lynch was only 33 when he died in 1946, overwhelmed by the chronic alcoholism he had been unable to defeat.
Wed 22nd Feb at 8.30pm and Thurs 23rd Feb at 11am.
4. Mad to be Normal
David Tennant puts in a stellar performance as R D Laing, the controversial Scottish psychiatrist, whose methods included experimenting with LSD on his patients. The films details not only his radical work but also the difficulties in his personal relationships. Also starring Elisabeth Moss, Michael Gambon and Gabriel Byrne, this fascinating film will be screened at the festival closing gala.
Sunday 26th Feb, doors open at 6.45pm, audience will be seated at 7.15pm, film starts at 7.30pm. Tickets: £15 / £13 and include entry to the after-party (over 18s only) at CCA, on presentation of your ticket stub.
5. Angry Inuk
Canadian film of the year, Alethea Arnaquq-Baril’s controversial documentary investigates the effect the seal hunting ban has had on the Inuit community. A thought-provoking doc that raises uncomfortable questions.
Thursday 23rd Feb at 6.15pm, Friday 24th Feb at 11am.
6. Berlin Syndrome
Based on the novel by Melanie Joosten, the plot sees Australian photographer Clare (Teresa Palmer, Hacksaw Ridge) on a trip to Berlin where she meets Andi (Max Riemelt). A fun holiday flings morph into something completely different after Clare finds herself locked in Andi’s apartment.
Friday 17th Feb at 8.15pm, Saturday 18th Feb at 3.45pm.
7. Bodkin Ras
The only professional actor in this intriguing film is Sohrab Bayat, whose mesmerising performance is supported by locals from Forres, where the film is set. The film blends both documentary and fiction to create completely something unique. Bodkin Ras won the Fipresci Award at last year’s Rotterdam Film Festival
Friday 24th Feb at 6.15pm, Saturday 25th Feb at 3.45pm
8. The Chocolate Case
Chocolate-loving Dutch journalist Teun van de Kueken sets out to create a 100% slave-free chocolate bar. Entertaining and sobering at times, this may doc may have viewers checking Fair Trade labels twice the next time they get their chocolate fix.
Saturday 18th Feb at 6pm, Sunday 19th Feb at 3.45pm
9. End of the Game
What happens when a vegan encounters a hunter living on the Caithness Moors? David Graham Scott’s provocative doc explores both the ethical complexitiies around hunting, and what it is to be human, as the two men form an unlikely bond.
Monday 20th Feb at 6.30pm, Tuesday 21st Feb at 3.45pm
10. Folk Hero & Funny Guy
Two old friends – an ailing stand-up comedian and a folk musician – hit the road on a tour in this fun comedy, starring Alex Karpovsky, Wyatt Russell and David Cross.
Monday 20th Feb at 6.15pm, Tuesday 21st Feb at 4pm
11. Jawbone
This hyped British boxing drama has a winning combination: Ray Winstone, Ian McShane and a soundtrack provided by Paul Weller. The film was written by central star Johnny Harris, who relied on Barry and Shane McGuigan to get him fighting fit.
Saturday 25th Feb at 8.45pm, Sunday 26th Feb at 11am
12. The Levelling
Game of Thrones’ Ellie Kendrick captivates as Clover, who returns to the family home after the tragic death of her brother. This is the exciting debut from filmmaker Hope Dickson Leach, who will in attendance at the screening on Tuesday 21st February.
Tuesday 21st Feb at 6.15pm, Wednesday 22nd Feb at 10.45am
13. Mindhorn
Starring Mighty Boosh’s Julian Barratt, this zany comedy has Barratt playing a has-been actor, whose most famous role is as TV detective Mindhorn. Drawn into a real-life drama on the Isle of Man, the actor is given a chance to reprise his role and possibly re-ignite his failing career. Creepy, twisted, and almost painfully self-aware.
Monday 20th Feb at 8.30pm, Tuesday 21st Feb at 3.45pm
14. A Quiet Passion
Poet Emily Dickinson is brought to life by director Terence Davies and a crackling performance by Cynthia Nixon. Nixon is supported by some wonderful turns by Jennifer Ehle as sister Lavinia and Catherine Bailey as friend Miss Buffan.
Thursday 23rd Feb at 6pm
15. The Wee Govan Pipers at The Pearce Institute
Even the most cynical of viewers will warm to the group of young Scottish, Nigerian and Chinese pipers from Govan, who have been tutored by the Greater Glasgow Police Band. See the first 18-months of their story and brighten up your Sunday.
Sunday 19th Feb, doors open at 6.30pm
And some more wee gems
- On the 21st Feb, the GFT will screen a surprise film, where the audience buys a ticket without knowing what they’ll be seeing, but there’s a chance you could be attending the UK or even the world premiere of a new exciting film. 8.50pm, Glasgow Film Theatre
- For the 35th anniversary of cult horror classic The Thing, a screening will take place on a dark ski slope at Snow Factor. Guaranteed to be a chilling experience. Thursday 23rd Feb, doors open at 7pm.
- The Òran Mór will be hosting an all singing, all dancing screening of Dirty Dancing, where the audience will get a chance to get their groove while watching Patrick Swayze do his thing. Thursday 16th Feb, 6.30pm
- Are you a film buff? Assemble a team and put your knowledge to the test at the Glasgow Film Festival Quiz! Saramago Terrace Bar, Monday 20th Feb, 8.30pm
- If you love being spooked, you can get a Fright Fest pass for a whole weekend, meaning you can binge on the best and brightest of horror without breaking the bank. A Cure for Wellness, the new film from The Ring director Gore Verbinski, will be screened on Thursday 23rd Feb, along with Phantasm: Remastered. All other Fright Fest films will be shown on Friday 24th and Saturday 25th Feb.
- Glasgow Film Theatre, together with Scottish Autism, provides an Access Film Club: a monthly screening and post-film discussion in a friendly and welcoming environment, that is open to anyone. Next month’s club will show Swim Team, a documentary charting the highs and lows of the New Jersey Hammerheads.
Tickets will go on general sale on Monday 23rd January at 10am. Visit the website at glasgowfilm.org/festival
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