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| Whisky Galore! remake is EIFF's closing gala Photo: Courtesy of Edinburgh Film Festival |
Inspired by Sir Compton Mackenzie’s 1947 novel, Whisky Galore! is written by award-winning screenwriter Peter McDougall and based on the true story of a shipwreck off the coast of Eriskay, in the Outer Hebrides, of a ship sailing for America with a cargo of export-only alcohol during the Second World War. The Scottish islanders, in the midst of a wartime drought of whisky, are determined to take advantage of an unexpected windfall despite opposition from the local Home Guard Captain.
Shot on location entirely in Scotland, Whisky Galore! features established names Gregor Fisher, james Cosmo, Kevin Guthrie, Sean Biggerstaff and Eddie Izzard, alongside newcomers Naomi Battrick and Ellie Kendrick.
Director Gillies Mackinnon said: “I am delighted that Whisky Galore! will close the Edinburgh International Film Festival. This feels like the perfect and most appropriate world premiere for a film which is the remake of a Scottish film classic.”
Producer Iain Maclean added: “I remember watching the film many times, as a child growing up on the Hebrides, on television and of course in black and white. It’s wonderful to bring Sir Compton Mackenzie's story about whisky and the islanders to a new generation of film fans through this year’s EIFF.”
Artistic Director Mark Adams said: “We are absolutely delighted to be staging the world premiere of Whisky Galore! as closing night of this year’s festival. It is a delightful adaptation of a much-loved classic and will wrap up our 70th edition in memorable style.”
Tickets go on sale at 10am on Thursday 21st April 2016. Watch the trailer below:
