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

    A taste of power Andrew Neel on ordinary life under totalitarianism and How To Feed A Dictator

    Rock star spirit Shane Belcourt on Louis Cameron and Ni-Naadamaadiz: Red Power Rising

    Heir presumptive Rob Rice on the power of comedy, political disappointments and Ponderosa

    Keeping the rhythm Hugo Ruíz on storytelling techniques, kinky cinema and Dante

    From personal to universal Karla Murthy on The Gas Station Attendant and her relationship with her dad

    Family reunion Tasha Hubbard on exploring the aftermath of the Sixties Scoop in Meadowlarks

    More news and features

    We're bringing you news, reviews and more from Sheffield DocFest, ImagineNative and Tribeca.



    We're looking forward to Docs Ireland and the Fantasia International Film Festival.



    We've recently brought you coverage of Cannes, Queer East, the San Francisco Independent Film Festival, Visions du Réel, Fantaspoa, Overlook, BFI Flare and SXSW, the Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival and the NY Rendezvous with French Cinema.



    Read our full for more.


    Visit our festivals section.

    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:


    The Evia Project Event returns for a 5th year with focus on the forest


    DocFest Winners announced


    Tribeca Awards announced


    Karlovy Vary 60th anniversary edition to feature Jesse Eisenberg and Maggie Gyllenhaal as guests


    Fantasia Second wave of titles announced