Festivals >> EIFF >> 2008 >> British Gala

Better Things(Country: United Kingdom; Director: Duane Hopkins; Writer: Duane Hopkins; Cast: Liam McIlfatrick, Che Corr, Tara Ballard, Megan Palmer, Kurt Taylor, Rachel McIntyre, Patricia Loveland)
A highly artistic film which requires hard work from the viewer, this is a carefully structured meditation on the idea of loneliness and isolation. UK Premiere.
Full Review See: Interview with Duane Hopkins about Better Things

A Complete History Of My Sexual Failures(Country: UK; Director: Chris Waitt; Writer: Chris Waitt and Henry Trotter; Cast: Chris Waitt)
Does what it says on the tin - a personal documentary about a subject for which most blokes will have sympathy. European Premiere.
Full Review See: Interview with Chris Waitt about A Complete History Of My Sexual Failures

Donkey Punch(Country: UK; Director: Olly Blackburn; Writer: Olly Blackburn, David Bloom; Cast: Robert Boulter, Sian Breckin, Tom Burke, Nichola Burley, Julian Morris, Jay Taylor, Jaime Winstone)
After meeting at a nightclub in a Mediterranean resort, seven young adults decide to continue partying aboard a luxury yacht in the middle of the ocean. But when one of them dies in a freak accident the others argue about what to do, leading to a ruthless fight for survival. UK Premiere.
Full Review See: Sundance Film Festival 2008: Day Seven, news from the 2008 Edinburgh International Film Festival

Dummy(Country: United Kingdom; Director: Matthew Thompson; Writer: Paula Barnes, Michael Müller; Cast: Aaron Johnson, Thomas Grant, Therese Bradley, Emma Catherwood)
A coming of age drama about two young brothers whose mother dies suddenly, leaving them to fend for themselves. World Premiere.
Full Review

Faintheart(Country: UK; Director: Vito Rocco; Writer: David Lemon; Cast: Eddie Marsan, Jessica Hynes, Nick Ball, Ewen Bremner, Paul Nicholls, Chloe Hesar, Calum Chalmers, Kevin Eldon, Phil Lester)
A battle re-enactor struggles to recover the affections of his wife. Full Review

Helen(Country: United Kingdom/Ireland; Director: Christine Molloy, Joe Lawlor; Writer: Christine Molloy, Joe Lawlor; Cast: Annie Townsend, Sandie Malia, Dennis Jobling, Sonia Saville, Danny Groenland)
A missing girl's police reconstruction prompts her proxy to fill in the psychological gaps in herself. World Premiere.
Full Review

Man On Wire(Country: UK; Director: James Marsh; Writer: James Marsh; Cast: Philippe Petit)
On August 7, 1974, New York gasped as French daredevil Philippe Petit walked a tightrope between the Twin Towers—without a safety net. Peppered with humor and awe, this stunning portrait of an artist of reckless daring and impish charm is sure to leave viewers spellbound. European Premiere.
Full Review See: Sundance Film Festival 2008: Day Eight

Somers Town(Country: UK; Director: Shane Meadows; Writer: Paul Fraser; Cast: Thomas Turgoose, Piotr Jagiello, Ireneusz Czop, Elisa Lasowski, Perry Benson, Kate Dickie)
A boy heads to London to seek his fortune and finds friendship. UK Premiere.
Full Review See: Shane Meadows Q&A, Tribeca 2008 Diary: Day 3 and 4, Perry Benson interview about Mum & Dad and Somers Town

Stone Of Destiny(Country: United Kingdom, Canada; Director: Charles Martin Smith; Writer: Charles Martin Smith; Cast: Charlie Cox, Kate Mara, Robert Carlyle, Billy Boyd, Stephen McCole, Ciaron Kelly)
If Ealing were still alive... they'd probably grab this script and run with it! World Premiere.
Full Review

Summer(Country: United Kingdom; Director: Kenny Glenaan; Cast: Robert Carlyle, Steve Evets, Rachael Blake, Michael Socha, Sean Kelly, Jo Doherty, Joanna Tulej)
Now a carer for his dying friend, a former prisoner laments the way that he has frittered away his life. World Premiere.
Full Review

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