THE Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) is to get under way with an opening gala featuring Scottish actress Kelly Macdonald.
Puzzle, featuring the Trainspotting, Harry Potter and No Country For Old Men star, is the curtain-raiser to the 72nd edition of the festival on Wednesday.
Macdonald is expected to attend the red carpet launch in the Scottish capital later.
EIFF bosses describe the “delightful” film as being about a woman who achieves her potential after a lifetime of looking after others rather than concentrating on herself.
Macdonald plays central character Agnes while Irrfan Khan takes on the role of charismatic puzzle master Robert in the “life-affirming” film directed by Marc Turtletaub.
Turtletaub is also due to attend the international premiere ahead of the film’s release in the summer.
He said: “It’s a great honour to be invited to have Puzzle open Edinburgh International Film Festival 2018.
“This world-class festival has been a personal favourite for a long time – and being able to showcase Kelly’s performance here makes it even more rewarding.”
Mark Adams, artistic director of Edinburgh International Film Festival, said: “We are thrilled to be able to celebrate the undeniable talent of Kelly Macdonald in this wonderfully enjoyable and uplifting film.”
The 12-day festival will see 121 new features from 48 countries, 21 of them world premieres.
Highlights include a screening of Disney-Pixar animation Incredibles 2 and a series of in-person events, with guests including Welsh comedian Rob Brydon, English writer and director David Hare and The Secret Of Marrowbone actor George MacKay.
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