EIFF 2009 Programme Launch

The Edinburgh International Film Festival programme was announced this morning, revealing a varied and exciting list of events and films with an emphasis on independent, cult and low-budget film-making.

Sam Mendes’, next feature Away We Go, already announced as the opening gala performance, will be complemented by an In Person event with the director, whose previous films have included American Beauty and Revolutionary Road. Other distinguished guests who’ll be visiting the city will be cult director Darren Aronofsky, who’ll be talking about his upcoming project tackling RoboCop, as well as Scottish legend Bill Forsyth, the ever-talented Brenda Blethyn and low-budget film extraordinaire Roger Corman.

Corman will also be the subject of this year’s retrospective, a director who has worked with and influenced key figures in film from Jack Nicholson to Francis Ford Coppola, this provides the perfect opportunity to see some of the best (and weirdest) works in his repertoire.

Highlights in the director’s showcase, the strand which selects films from established auteurs of world cinema, include works by Abbas Kiarostami, Claire Denis and Steven Soderbergh. Horror fans will also be pleased to see esteemed Italian director Dario Argento’s new film Giallo starring Adrien Brody featured in the programme.

And finally, music lovers would be wise to check out The Skinny sponsored event Playing with the Past – an evening of archival gig footage with performances from three of Edinburgh’s best bands – Eagleowl, Meursault and FOUND. Also recommended viewing is All Tomorrow Parties, a documentary about the legendary festival, by the director of Tarnation.

Look out for more coverage of the festival from The Skinny over the coming month.