From edgy British indies to family favourites, Anna Smith picks 10 promising films to watch out for in this year’s selection.
Puzzle
EIFF regular Kelly Macdonald plays a jigsaw genius in character-driven drama that’s opening the festival on Wednesday.
Lucid
Can lucid dreaming help a shy young man win the girl of his dreams? Expect dark turns in this debut feature from Adam Morse, starring Laurie Calvert, Billy Zane and Felicity Gilbert.
The Parting Glass
True Blood’s Stephen Moyer directs Melissa Leo, Cynthia Nixon and wife Anna Paquin in a film about family, love and loss.
Obey
The 2011 London riots form the backdrop for an acclaimed drama centering around 19-year-old Leon (Marcus Rutherford), a boy with an alcoholic mother who’s grown up in and out of care.
Three Summers
Ben Elton’s second film as director stars Robert Sheehan and Rebecca Breeds as musicians flirting and falling out at an Australian music festival.
Whitney
Kevin Macdonald’s riveting documentary delves into the childhood of the iconic singer Whitney Houston and has unprecedented access to members of her family.
Incredibles 2
This animated follow-up has a modern spin, as Helen (voiced by Holly Hunter) continues to fight crime, while Bob (Craig T. Nelson), aka Mr. Incredible, stays at home to look after their super children.
The Secret of Marrowbone
Sergio G Sánchez, screenwriter of The Orphanage and The Impossible, directs George MacKay… that’s enough to sell this movie to any cinephile. Add Anya Taylor-Joy and a supernatural theme and The Secret of Marrowbone looks like one of EIFF’s must-sees.
Piercing
Brace yourself for a ‘twisted and twisting’ watch about a murderous businessman (Christopher Abbott) who meets his match in a call girl (Mia Wasikowska, pictured). A chance for Mia to show her darker side…
Swimming with Men
This Closing Night film will draw inevitable comparisons with The Full Monty as it brings a group of middle-aged men together for a synchronised swimming team. Rob Brydon, Adeel Akhtar and Daniel Mays are among those donning speedos.
The 72nd Edinburgh International Film Festival runs 20 June – 1 July, 2018. For more information on this year’s programme visit www.edfilmfest.org.uk.