Away We Go
Cannes is now a distant memory now as Edinburgh gears up to welcome filmmakers and stars to the city for the Edinburgh International Film Festival 2009.
The festival kicks off on 17th June and some of the brightest and best movies from the UK, Europe and the rest of the world will be shown over the twelve day celebration of homegrown and foreign cinema.
And this year there is a real mix of big budget animation to low budget British films popular movies on the festival circuit to driven by the big named actors and directors behind them.
So here at FemaleFirst we took a look at some of the movies that you should be looking out for during the festival.
Fish Tank
Andrea Arnold's follow up movie to the critically acclaimed Red Road had everyone talking at the Cannes Film Festival last month and at last Fish Tanks is back on home soil.
The movie follows fifteen year old Mia whose life is turned upside down when her mum brings home a new boyfriend. But it's the central performance by Katie Jarvis that has everyone talking.
The Essex girl, who had no acting experience, was discovered on a train platform when she was having a row with her boyfriend. But her central performance lit up the Cannes Film Festival and looks set to do so in Edinburgh.
Wasted
Wasted is a a Scottish movie from Glasgow's Raindog Theatre Company. The film follows two young lovers, Connor, a 17 year old street working male prostitute and his girlfriend Suzanne, a 16 year old street working prostitute. Two young people who cling to each other for hope and survival.
Set in contemporary Scotland the film features a fairly inexperienced cast, with the likes of Neil Leiper making his big screen debut.
Antichrist
No matter where this movie goes it seems to be causing controversy, none more so than last week when it was announced that an uncut version would play in UK cinemas with an 18 certificate.
Antichrist is the latest film from provocative Danish director Lars von Trier, starring Charlotte Gainsbourg and Willem Dafoe.
A psychological horror film, Antichrist outraged viewers at the world premiere at Cannes Film Festival 2009. And a screenings in London last week several journalist walked out in disgust.
It is defiantly the most controversial movie included in the line-up this year and the film that will, no doubt, get everyone talking.
Away We Go
Away We Go is the latest movie from Oscar winning filmmaker Sam Mendes and will open the festival on 17th June.
Longtime (and now thirtysomething) couple Burt (John Krasinski) and Verona (Maya Rudolph) are going to have a baby. The pregnancy progresses smoothly, but six months in, the pair is put off and put out by the cavalierly delivered news from Burt’s parents Jerry and Gloria (Jeff Daniels and Catherine O’Hara) that the eccentric elder Farlanders are moving out of Colorado thereby eliminating the expectant couple’s main reason for living there.
So, where, and among whom of those closest to them, might Burt and Verona best put down roots to raise their impending bundle of joy? The couple embarks on an ambitious itinerary to visit friends and family, and to evaluate cities.
The Hurt Locker
Directed by Kathryn Bigelow The Hurt Locker is an intense portrayal of elite soldiers who have one of the most dangerous jobs in the world: disarming bombs in the heat of combat.
When a new sergeant, James, takes over a highly trained bomb disposal team amidst violent conflict, he surprises his two subordinates, Sanborn and Eldridge, by recklessly plunging them into a deadly game of urban combat.
James behaves as if he's indifferent to death. As the men struggle to control their wild new leader, the city explodes into chaos, and James' true character reveals itself in a way that will change each man forever.
With an impressive cast that includes Ralph Fiennes, Guy Pearce and Evangeline Lily The Hurt Locker could just be one of the best war on terror movies that have been released to date.
Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
At every festival there is one big Hollywoodish movie and at Edinburgh this year it's animation Ice Age 3, which will no doubt bring more success to this unexpected franchise.
With the cast of Ray Romano, Denis Leary and John Leguizamo all returning, as well as new addition such as Simon Pegg the movie looks set to bring some light relief to the schedule.
Other movies to watch out over the coming days include Adventureland, Kicks, Running in Traffic, Sam Rockwell's new movie Moon, Unmade Beds and stop motion animation picture Mary & Max.
Edinburgh International Film Festival runs from 17th - 28th June
FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw
Tagged in Edinburgh International Film Festival