Pig to open EIFF

Nic Cage stars in truffle hunter drama

by Amber Wilkinson

Nic Cage in Pig. Director Michael Sarnoski says Cage 'got the vibe we were going for which is kind of like a poem but a lot of people did not get that'
Nic Cage in Pig. Director Michael Sarnoski says Cage 'got the vibe we were going for which is kind of like a poem but a lot of people did not get that' Photo: Courtesy of EIFF
This year's Edinburgh International Film Festival will open with the European premiere of Pig starring Nicolas Cage, on Wednesday August 18, at Festival Theatre.

Cage stars as a truffle hunter who lives alone in the Oregonian wilderness and who must return to his past in Portland in search of his beloved foraging pig after she is kidnapped. This film marks the directorial debut of Michael Sarnoski, who had edited and produced The Testimony, which was shortlisted for the 2016 Academy Awards in the best documentary short category. The film will have its UK release on August 20.

Sarnoski said: "We're so thrilled to be sharing Pig at Edinburgh International Film Festival. It was a labour of love for all involved, and we hope it gives the audience a moment of reflection and togetherness after such a hard year."

Nick Varley, the festival's lead guest programmer added: "From the moment the programming team viewed Pig we knew it was the film to open the 74th edition of the festival. Sincere thanks to Will Clarke and the team at Altitude for making the film available to us.”

The festival, which will be a hybrid edition, will run from August 18 to 25.

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