Skip to main content

EIFF 2002: Day 5

Is Once Upon A Time In The Midlands the next full Monty?

by Weegeet

Grin up North

Today saw the UK premiere of Shane Meadows' Once Upon A Time In The Midlands at the UGC Cinema in Fountainbridge.

Joining Meadows were stars of the film Robert Carlyle, Rhys Evans, Shirley Henderson and young Finn Atkins (apparently who puts in a brilliant performance).

There were smiles all-round, which is not surprising when you realise that the film is already getting great reviews (read The Wolf's review) and some are saying could be "the next Full Monty".

The film is also considered a front-runner for the coveted audience award for "the most popular film of the festival".

Latest counts suggest it's running neck-in-neck with Mike Leigh's characteristically bitter-sweet, All Or Nothing.

Last year's most popular film award went to Amelie.

News and features

Paul Rowley on moving to New York, the Pulse massacre, and Gays Against Guns

Going ape Antonin Niclass on character creation, empathy and animated short Into The Forest

Freeform Will Niava on grief, new immigrant experiences and Jazz Infernal

In silence Emir Kumova on child marriage in Türkiye, moral challenges and making The Witness

Taking a ride into liminal spaces Katharine Round on making documentary Ghost Town

Flying blind Michael Woloson and Scott Tinkham on improvisation, experimental writing and Littermates

In deep water Dominic Curran on internet overexposure and A Little Learning Is A Dangerous Thing

More news and features

Festival coverage

Festivals
Cannes festival coverage, 2026

We're bringing you all the latest news and reviews from the Cheltenham International Film Festival, the Leeds International Film Festival, the Thessaloniki International Film Festival and Tallinn Black Nights.



We're looking forward to the French Film Festival and DOC NYC.



We've recently brought you coverage of the Belfast Film Festival, Halloween Frightfest, the Scottish Queer International Film Festival, Newfest, the London Film Festival, the New York Film Festival and Grimmfest.



Read our full for more.


Visit our festivals section.