EIFF 2017 to open with God’s Own Country

Edinburgh International Film Festival has revealed that the film opening the 71st edition will be God’s Own Country, the first feature from British filmmaker Francis Lee. As the title suggests, the film is set in Yorkshire, and is described as “a contemporary tale of self-discovery and emotional-awakening set on the sheep farming hills of rural Northern England.”

The film stars Josh O’Connor as Johnny, a young man who’s been struggling to run his family’s farm in remote West Yorkshire after his father (played by Ian Hart) has a stroke that leaves him incapacitated, and centres on the intense romantic relationship he forms with Gheorghe (Alec Secareanu), a Romanian man who begins working on the farm. Early reviews have suggested the film has echoes of Ang Lee’s heartbreaking Brokeback Mountain.

God’s Own Country was enthusiastically received when it had its world premiere at Sundance Film Festival, where it won Lee the best director prize in the festival’s World Cinema Dramatic Competition. Lee himself grew up in rural Yorkshire, and says "it’s a great privilege that God’s Own Country has been selected as the Opening Night film of the Edinburgh International Film Festival.”

Mark Adams, EIFF artistic director, added that “we are thrilled to be staging the UK premiere of Francis Lee’s accomplished debut.” Adams also said that the selection of God’s Own Country “perfectly reflects EIFF’s ongoing dedication to delivering audiences the most original and artistically accomplished work in international cinema.”

Following its UK premiere at EIFF, God’s Own Country will be released 1 Sep by Picturehouse Entertainment.

Tickets for the opening gala go on sale at 10am on Wednesday 10 May through EIFF's website. For more information visit www.edfilmfest.org.uk.