This year The Edinburgh International Film Festival reaches its 70th incarnation and it aims to celebrate with a bang.
Some 161 flicks from 46 countries will be screened including 22 world and 85 UK premieres.
Here are 5 essential genre movies you should definitely make time for when cinema storms the Scottish capital between the 15th and 26th of June.
– Y Llyfrgell – (The Library Suicides) – Wales (2016)
Genre : Siege / Thriller
What ? :
” The Library Suicides stars Catrin Stewart (Doctor Who) as twin sister librarians Nan and Ana who plan revenge when their author mother commits suicide, with her final words suggesting her biographer murdered her.”
Why ? :
Because director Euros Lyn has impeccable TV credentials including Doctor Who , Daredevil, Sherlock, Broadchurch and Black Mirror.
Catrin Stewart is always brilliant.
When ? :
17 June, 18:20 at Cineworld 3
18 June, 15:45 at Cineworld 12
– The Virgin Psychics – Japan (2015)
Genre : Mystery / Sex comedy
What ? :
” A strange cosmic event leaves a group of young folk (only virgins who were aroused at the time of the event are affected) with special powers, and they are grudgingly brought together to fight evil psychics. “
Why ? :
Because ridiculously prolific director Shion Sono (Love Exposure, Cold Fish) could not make a dull film if his life depended on it.
According to Variety – “The Virgin Psychics is a bit like having a dog hump your leg for the better part of two hours; it’s filthy and monotonous and fairly interminable..” – which sounds utterly splendid.
When ? :
20 June, 18:00 at Odeon 2
25 June, 23:10 at Filmhouse 1
– Seoul Station – South Korea (2016)
Genre : Zombie / Animation
What ? :
” A man looks for his runaway daughter only to discover she has become a prostitute. Just as he about to be reunited with her, a zombie epidemic breaks out in Seoul.”
Why ? :
Because this makes a great precursor to the imminent arrival of the live action Cannes hit Train to Busan from the same director.
Reportedly both brutal and cerebral Seoul Station recently bowed to much acclaim at the Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival.
When ? :
16 June, 20:30 at Cineworld 5
24 June, 20:35 at Cineworld 11
– Yoga Hosers – USA (2016)
Genre : Fantasy / Comedy / Horror
What ? :
” Set in the Great White North of Canada, Yoga Hosers tells the story of Colleen Collette and Colleen McKenzie – two teenage besties from Winnipeg who spend their lives doing Yoga with their faces in their phones, ‘Liking’ or ‘Not Liking’ the real world around them. But when these Sophomore girls are invited to a Senior party by the school hottie, the Colleens accidentally uncover an ancient evil, long buried beneath the Manitoba earth.”
Why ? :
Because it’s directed by Kevin Smith (Clerks) and his work is always original and charismatic.
Yoga Hosers is part of an insane trilogy sandwiched between a film about a man who turns himself into a walrus (Tusk) and a killer elk picture (Moose Jaws).
It features a character called Yogi Bayer.
When ? :
21 June, 20:50 at Filmhouse 1
25 June, 18:00 at Cineworld 8
– Firstborn – UK (2016)
Genre : Supernatural / Horror
What ? :
“When two young parents discover their daughter is a magnet for the supernatural they must dedicate their lives to protecting her. Thea’s arrival into their world brings with it terrifying entities that threaten Charlie and James’ newly formed family. Panic stricken, the young parents turn to Elizabeth, an occult practitioner of great power, who teaches Thea to control, rather than be afraid, of the dark forces around her. But Charlie sees her daughter is changing; Thea’s newfound confidence unleashes something far more malevolent and terrifying than they have ever encountered.“
Why ? :
Because it draws heavily from the seminal age of 70’s horror and that is never a bad thing.
It is co-written by rising genre star Sean Hogan (The Devil’s Business).
Firstborn comes from so far under the radar it could just well be the kick up the jaded backside the UK horror scene needs.
When ? :
19 June, 20:40 at Cineworld 3
20 June, 23:30 at Filmhouse 1
Filmhouse Members are able to book tickets exclusively from 12 noon on Wed 25 May until 10am Fri 27 May, after which bookings are opened to the general public.
Online Booking – Here
