The fourteenth edition of Glasgow Film Festival is right around the corner, and rest assured: 2018's programme packs a punch. With everything from be-there-or-regret-it premieres to some feel-good-screenings of golden oldies, there's something at #GFF18 for everyone.
Four films to see before anyone else in the UK does. In total, the festival has six world premieres, seven European premieres, 77 UK premieres and 52 Scottish premieres.
Four years ago, the Glasgow Film Festival opened with Wes Anderson's The Grand Budapest Hotel. This year, the visionary director's latest film is heading up the Opening Gala. Isle of Dogs is billed as 'a beguiling, stunningly crafted stop-motion animated feature'. When an outbreak of 'canine flu' leads to all the dogs being quarantined on Trash Island, 12 year-old Atari Kobayashi (Koyu Rankin) defies the authorities to embark on a daring rescue mission to the island.
Wednesday 21 February, Glasgow Film Theatre, 7pm (Opening Gala), 10pm (second screening); Thursday 22 February, 3.25pm, Glasgow Film Festival.
Nae Pasaran tells the story of a group of East Kilbride Rolls-Royce factory workers, who refused to work on engines from Pinochet’s Air Force in protest against his dictatorship in Chile. For four years, they left the engines to rust in the yard of their factory, until one night, the engines vanished. This five-year documentary project received development funding from Creative Scotland, and now it's set to close this year's festival. We spoke to filmmaker Felipe Bustos Sierra back in December about the history of the protest, what it meant to the world, and why he is telling this story.
Sunday 4 March, Glasgow Film Theatre, 7.30pm (Closing Gala).
The Camino Voyage tells the incredible story of four people who undertake the massive 'Camino' journey, from Ireland to Santiago de Compostela in A Coruña, Northern Spain. Their travels take place over the course of three years in their own handmade traditional boat, called a ‘Naomhóg’. Director Dónal Ó Céilleachair will be joined by members of the cast and crew for the screening on 28 February.
Wednesday 28 February, Glasgow Film Theatre, 6.10pm; Thursday 1 March, Glasgow Film Theatre, 10.45am.
Director Daisy Aitkens and actor David Tennant will attend the screening of this rom-com on 25 February. High-powered lawyer Olivia (Lucy Punch) is hitting 40 and desperate for a child. Her younger partner, struggling artist Alex (Faye Marsay), doesn’t feel the same urgency. Neither of them could have anticipated what happens next or that it would intimately involve lonely neighbour John (David Tennant).
Sunday 25 February, Glasgow Film Theatre, 6.15pm; Monday 26 February, Glasgow Film Theatre, 3.15pm.
Four films to see if you're a fan of nostalgia, or you simply appreciate a good cinematic vintage.
Re-watch the classic 90s film, and then join the GFF School Disco in the TV Studio, for floor-filling shapes, paper garlands, balloons, a conga line and prizes for cheesiest costume and best moves.
Wednesday 28 February, SWG3 Warehouse, 6.30pm.
James Dean embodies the restless frustration of every misunderstood adolescent in Nicholas Ray’s landmark classic. This is a free ticketed show, with tickets available at the venue on the day, on a first come first served basis (maximum two tickets per person).
Sunday 25 Februrary, Glasgow Film Theatre, 10.30am.
This quintessential Warner Brothers thriller stars James Cagney and Pat O’Brien as boyhood pals. Cagney turns to a life of crime, while O’Brien becomes a priest convinced that a better man still lurks within the heart of his childhood friend. Again, get there early to snap up those free tickets.
Thursday 22 February, Glasgow Film Theatre, 10.30am.
Celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Coen Brothers’ cult film with an evening of bowling at the Hollywood Bowl Springfield Quay. See how many pins you can knock down, and while you’re at it, you can raise a White Russian in The Dude’s honour.
Tuesday 27 February, Hollwood Bowl/Odeon, 6pm & 7.10pm.
Glasgow Film Festival 2018 runs from 21 February - 4 March. Find the full programme at glasgowfilm.org/glasgow-film-festival.
