Edinburgh International Film Festival - 2024

The Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) is my local festival, a festival I have regularly attended since 2018. I remember seeing films like the South Korean comedy Extreme Job and being captivated. At this festival, I also decided to start writing film reviews and wanted to pursue that career path.

Though this festival has had turbulent times, I am happy that it is back for another year. This is the 77th edition of the programme and this year has a unique lineup of titles. Which is good. It is very different from last year which had some amazing titles like Femme and The First Slam Dunk.

To celebrate this year’s programme, I wanted to highlight 5 films that I’m excited for and will be checking out. This list will be in alphabetical order, so this isn’t a ranking but more a showcase of what EIFF 2024 has to offer.

Alien: Romulus

Director: Fede Alvarez
Yes, it might be cheating to include Alien: Romulus on the list as it comes out nationwide on the 16th August a day after the EIFF screening. However, I can’t help but not be excited for this film. Writer and Director Fede Alvarez is bringing Alien back to its horror roots. The film follows a group of young space colonizers. Who while scavenging a space station discover that they are not alone. The trailers for this film prove why this film is the opening film for the Midnight Madness Programme. It looks like it is going to be bloody and scary, and I hope no one can hear me scream while watching this.

Black Dog

Director: Guan Hu
After winning the Un Certain Regard at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival the latest film from Guan Hu director of The Eight Hundred comes Black Dog. This film is different from The Eight Hundred as that film was a war drama and Black Dog is a more intimate story of a man and a dog. Black Dog follows Lang played by Eddie Pang. After being released from prison he returns hometown. While there he is tasked with clearing the streets of strays in preparation for the 2008 Olympic games. During this, he strikes an unlikely connection with the titular black dog. I love how this film looks, and I cannot wait to see it.

Sunlight

Director: Nina Conti
Nina Conti is an incredibly famous British comedian. Famous for her ventriloquist act which can involve people from the crowd wearing masks and saying very silly stuff. Her latest project is having its world premiere at EIFF and is also in competition. Sunlight follows a woman who is escaping a toxic relationship. She somehow ends up on a road trip in a monkey suit and a man who is seeking retribution. I can’t wait to see how Nina Conti brings her unique style of comedy to a more traditional narrative feature. All I hope is that the film is as funny as its plot description.

The Substance

Director: Coralie Fargeat
Another film that won big at Cannes this time winning best screenplay is The Substance. Written and Directed by Coralie Fargeat, whose debut feature was Revenge. A unique take on the rape-revenge subgenre of horror. The Substance is her take on the body horror sub-genre. The film follows a fading celebrity played by Demi Moore. She is fried by her agent on her 50th birthday and falls into a slump but she is informed of a lab that can offer a substance that will allow her to take the body of a younger woman. Closing the Midnight Madness programme this film is sure to make your skin crawl.

To Kill a Wolf

Director: Kelsey Taylor
Also, in competition and having its world premiere at EIFF 2024 is To Kill a Wolf. The film takes the story we know and love of Red Riding Hood and brings it into modern-day Oregon. Which just on the concept alone is enticing. The film follows a woodsman who discovers teenage runaway Dani in the woods. After saving her, he decides to help Dani be reunited with her grandmother. They become travel buddies, and they delve into each other’s pasts which in turn tests their willingness to trust each other. I cannot wait to see what the film has in store for me as based on the initial description I’m fully on board.