Scotland Film Events Highlights - December 2013

Yes, it’s nearly Chrimbo, but thankfully it’s not all dewy-eye nostalgia on this month's film horizon. The GFT serve gothic horror, the Cameo screen some non-festive classics and Nordic Film Festival proves the regions home to more than just Santa

Feature by Becky Bartlett | 02 Dec 2013

The GFT in Glasgow is offering a rare chance to see behind the scenes, hosting a special Open Day on 8 Dec. Guided tours of the projection booths provide a rare opportunity to witness the technicalities of film screening, and attendees will also be given first peek at the cinema’s new auditorium. Following a panel discussion with members of the Glasgow Film team, there’s even a special surprise screening. Entry is free, on a first come, first served basis.

As well as the traditional festive fare (It’s a Wonderful Life, The Muppet Christmas Carol, Gremlins, and others – all showing across the country throughout December), the Cameo in Edinburgh is screening a number of classic movies, including Gone With the Wind (9 Dec), which remains the highest grossing film of all time (if inflation is taken into account), and Cinema Paradiso (20 Dec). Particularly deserving of a big screen viewing, however, is Stanley Kubrick’s sci-fi masterpiece, 2001: A Space Odyssey, featuring some mind-bending effects, the terrifyingly calm HAL 9000, and arguably the most daring cut in cinema history.

Day For Night film company are bringing the Nordic Film Festival to Filmhouse in Edinburgh (6-11 Dec) and the GFT (8 Dec-2 Jan). There are a number of UK premieres, including documentary Kidd Life, which charts the sudden infamy of Nicholas Kidd following a YouTube upload, and coming of age drama You & Me Forever. The festival also pays special homage to director Nicolas Winding Refn, with documentary NWR (featuring Ryan Gosling and Mads Mikkelsen). See www.day-for-night-org for the full line-up.

Extreme snow sports fans should head to the GFT (2 Dec) or the DCA in Dundee (3 Dec) for Warren Miller’s Ticket to Ride. Filmed in such diverse locations as Montana, Iceland, and central Asia, the action-packed documentary celebrates winter and the sports that accompany the year’s coldest months. With both screenings including special prize giveaways, it’s sure to be an entertaining evening.

Finally, two classic horror films are showing at the GFT this month. Frankenstein (15 Dec), one of Universal’s finest horror adaptations, starring Boris Karloff in his most iconic role, is followed by The Innocents (17-19 Dec). The latter, a psychological thriller based on The Turn of the Screw, sees Deborah Kerr give one of her finest performances as a governess hired to tutor two orphaned children, and has been praised by both François Truffaut and Guillermo del Toro as one of the finest British horrors.