EIFF to start with Puzzle

Kelly Macdonald drama to open 72nd edition

by Amber Wilkinson

Kelly Macdonald as Agnes and Irrfan Khan as Robert in Puzzle, which will open EIFF
Kelly Macdonald as Agnes and Irrfan Khan as Robert in Puzzle, which will open EIFF Photo: Courtesy of EIFF

Marc Turtletaub’s Puzzle has been announced as the opening gala of this year’s Edinburgh International Film Festival on June 20. The drama stars Scots actress Kelly Macdonald as under-appreciated housewife and mum Agnes whose newly discovered talent for completing jigsaw puzzles begins to quietly change other aspects of her life.

Kelly Macdonald is expected to attend the gala
Kelly Macdonald is expected to attend the gala Photo: Courtesy of EIFF

Irrfan Khan stars alongside Macdonald as a charismatic fellow puzzle solver who also holds out a possibility of a different tack, if she wants it. Macdonald puts in a tour de force performance in the central role, exploring the ways that Agnes is even an enigma to herself.

Macdonald and Turtletaub are both expected to attend the festival.

Artistic director of EIFF Mark Adams said: “We are thrilled to be able to celebrate the undeniable talent of Kelly Macdonald in this wonderfully enjoyable and uplifting film. It is a subtle and impressive new film that succeeds on all levels.”

Turtletaub added: "It's a great honour to be invited to have Puzzle open Edinburgh International Film Festival 2018. This world class festival has been a personal favourite for a long time - and being able to showcase Kelly’s performance here makes it even more rewarding.”

The full programme of the EIFF – which runs from June 20 to July 1 - will be announced on May 23. Tickets for Puzzle are on sale now from the EIFF website. Puzzle will be released across the UK by Sony Pictures this summer.

  • Read our interview with composer Dustin O’Halloran about scoring the Puzzle
  • Share this with others on...
    News

    Divine transformation Eriko Katagiri on the itako tradition and When You Open The Door

    Learning to let go Gloria Mercer and Bethany Brown on filming sex, drugs and A Safe Distance

    Framing a feature Michele Fiascaris on expanding his short Rain Catcher into a rain-slicked noir thriller

    A heroine of the people Avid Liongoren on the Filipino animation industry and Zsazsa Zaturnnah

    The girl who didn't want to be happy Julien Birban Levy on the spirit of Seoul and getting inside the head of Niko

    Spirit of the art Takeru Shinozuka and Yoshihide Moriyama on animation and Foxing: Kitsuné-Tsuki

    More news and features

    Interact

    Don't forget that you can follow us on YouTube for trailers of festival films and more. You can also find us on Mastodon and Bluesky.


    It's a busy time for festivals and here's the latest:


    Dinard Amira Casar to head jury, plus opening film announced


    San Sebastian Leigh, Naishtat and Larraín among those joining line-up


    Fantasia Nighborn is Cheval Noir Best Film; full list of award winners announced


    Frightfest Full line-up announced


    Sarajevo Festival to honour Asghar Farhadi and present tribute programme