The Edinburgh International Film Festival 2010

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The Edinburgh International Film Festival 2010

The Illutionist Casts a Spell Over the Scottish Capital on the Opening Night

Edinburgh, Scotland 2010 – The red carpet at the Edinburgh Festival Theatre came to life yesterday evening for a magical Opening Night Gala at the 2010 Edinburgh International Film Festival.

 As guests arrived for the UK Premiere of THE ILLUSIONIST, the beautiful animated feature by Academy Award® nominated filmmaker Sylvain Chomet, which was made and set predominantly in the Scottish capital, they were greeted on the red carpet by a glittering display of showgirls, stilt-walkers and tumbling strongmen. Arrivals at the Edinburgh Festival Theatre, a venue used for the first time by EIFF for their Opening Night Gala, were accompanied by the eight-piece Horndog Brass Band which entertained the huge crowds that lined Nicolson Street who had turned out to catch a glimpse of some of the famous faces walking down the red carpet.

 The film’s director Sylvain Chomet and producers Bob Last and Sally Chomet, were joined by an array of stars from the world of film including EIFF Patrons Sir Sean Connery and Seamus McGarvey;  star of stage and screen Sir Patrick Stewart; actress Britt Ekland; Ugly Betty star America Ferrera; writer Nick Hornby; Harry Potter actor Jason Isaacs; comedian and filmmaker Ben Miller; director Mike Hodges; Scottish film director and writer Bill Forsyth; Scottish comedian and actor Craig Hill and Minister of Culture and External Affairs Fiona Hyslop MSP.

 The Film Festival has been generously supported by Event Scotland to showcase Scotland as the perfect stage for international cultural events.

 Once inside the theatre, the audience was treated to a display by showgirls and a magician performing in the boxes of the historic auditorium, before Chomet stepped on stage to introduce his film, described by many who have seen it as a “love letter to Edinburgh”. 

 The choice of Festival Theatre as the venue for the UK’s first screening of THE ILLUSIONIST is particularly poignant due to an event that occurred there almost one hundred years ago when there was a disastrous fire on stage during a performance by The Great Lafayette, one of the world’s most prominent illusionists. The theatre was full to its three thousand seat capacity when disaster struck as The Great Lafayette took his bow, and a stage lamp fell and ignited a stage-drape. Every member of the audience walked to safety, but eleven people died in the devastating fire, including The Great Lafayette. It is rumored that his ghost still haunts the auditorium.

 Following the screening of the film, partygoers were asked to follow Louise Marshall Millington Scottish Piper who led them to Bristo Square where there was more entertainment, in front of the impressive Teviot Row House. Inside the party stretched over four levels, each room providing revellers with a selection of entertainment, food and drinks. In the Underground Bar there was a Secret Cabaret featuring performances from magicians Kevin McMahon, Matthew J Dowden and Christopher Howell, as well as Burlesque dancer Missy Malone.

 The Mezzanine played host to the Pergola photo booth where guests could capture their evening on camera in style. In the Debating Hall aerial duo “Suspended Motion” performed daring and exciting stunts,  followed by a performance by “The Five Acres Rock & Roll Band” accompanied by a dance routine from the dancers “Fly Right Dance Company”. DJ Lenny Love played music from the 50s and 60s throughout the evening.

 A range of drinks were served throughout the evening including Berberana wine, Moet & Chandon champagne, Kasteel Cru beer, Bacardi Mojitos, Glenmorangie and Red Bull. Fish & Chips were served to guests, echoing one of the film’s Edinburgh-set scenes where The Illusionist and Alice enjoy their supper on the steps of an Edinburgh fish & chip shop. Scottish food and drink provided a selection of canapés, oatcakes with Scottish Cheeses and Mackies Ice Cream were also served to guests who partied until the early hours of this morning.

 

The Edinburgh International Film Festival 16 - 27 June 2010

EIFF Box Office is now open

 About the Edinburgh International Film Festival:

Since 1947, the Edinburgh International Film Festival has devoted itself to discovering and promoting the very best in international cinema - and to embracing, celebrating and debating changes and developments in the global film industry. Intimate in its scale, ambitious in its scope, and fuelled by pure passion for cinema in all its manifestations, EIFF seeks to expose the cutting edge of new film talent, in a setting steeped in history. 

Notable films premiered in recent years have included: THE HURT LOCKER, MOON, FISHTANK, LET THE RIGHT ONE IN, SOMERS TOWN, MAN ON WIRE, WALL-E, CONTROL, KNOCKED UP, RATATOUILLE, LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE, AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH, TSOTSI, BILLY ELLIOT, AMORES PERROS and AMÉLIE.

 

The EIFF is supported by:

The UK Film Council through its Lottery supported Film Festival Fund.

 The UK Film Council is the Government backed lead agency for film in the UK. They aim to make sure that the UK has a dynamic film industry fit for the digital age and to help UK audiences enjoy the best of British and world cinema. Scottish Screen is the national agency responsible for the development and promotion of Scotland’s screen industries and culture focusing on talent, audiences, businesses and stories.  Event Scotland - working to make Scotland one of the world’s leading event destinations.  City of Edinburgh Council, Culture and Sport Division, Corporate Services Department.

Cineworld is proud to be a sponsor of the Edinburgh International Film Festival.

Standard Life are delighted to continue their partner sponsorship of the Edinburgh International Film Festival.

 

 

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Information the Edinburgh International Film Festival

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The Edinburgh International Film Festival

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