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Festival coverage

Edinburgh International Film Festival

2007

Things get hot in the kitchen for Remy in Brad Bird's latest Ratatouille
Things get hot in the kitchen for Remy in Brad Bird's latest Ratatouille

Now in its 61st year of screenings, the EIFF is the longest continuously running film festival in the world. It began in 1947 as a champion of documentary films and has expanded to include the full gamut of features, documentaries and short films.

Hannah McGill is marking her inaugural year as artistic director with an in-depth look at Cinema And The Written Word. The programme was announced on July 11 and includes an Anita Loos Retrospective, plus UK premieres of Ratatouille, Paranoid Park and Death Proof. The festival opens with David Mackenzie's latest film Hallam Foe, which was shot in the city, and closes with Julie Delpy's 2 Days In Paris.

Ian Curtis biopic Control - directed by Anton Corbijn - took home the Michael Powell award for Best New British Feature. It's star, Sam Riley, also won the PPG Award for Best Performance in a British Feature Film. Paul Taylor's heartwarming documentary about a South African orphanage, We Are Together, won the Audience Award, while the Best Documentary award went to Jennifer Venditti's Billy The Kid - a film about a boy with learning difficulties looking for love. The Skillset New Director's Award was won by Lucia Puenzo for her coming-of-age drama XXY.

Short films scooping awards were: Peter Baynton's Over The Hill (McLaren Animation Award), Simon Ellis' Soft (European Film Academy Short Film Prix UIP), Jamie Griffiths' The One And Only Herb McGwyer Plays Wallis Island (Best British Short Film), Yasmin Fedda's Breadmakers (Short Scottish Documentary Award).

Other years (27)

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Latest reviews

  • Stardust
    Review preview for Stardust

    A really enjoyable yarn in the Princess Bride mold, told with panache.

    Tony Sullivan · 4.5 out of 5
    Fantasy epic about a boy who goes looking for a falling star.
  • Lynch (one)
    Review preview for Lynch (one)

    Displays an artistry all of its own, quite unlike the thrown-together 'qualities' of your typical behind-the-scenes extra.

    Anton Bitel · 4 out of 5
    An insight into the working life of cult film director David Lynch.
  • The Man From London
    Review preview for The Man From London

    The forlorn beauty of The Man From London might inspire you to question the assumptions we make about cinema.

    Chris · 5 out of 5
    After witnessing a murder, a railway switchman makes a discovery which will change his life forever.
  • Once
    Review preview for Once

    Like the best works of art, John Carney’s Once is both melancholy and beautiful, a fragile poem that seems almost too delicate for the big screen.

    The Exile · 5 out of 5
    Guy meets Girl and makes beautiful - and Oscar-winning - music with her.
  • WAZ
    Review preview for WAZ

    Shankland dispenses with subplots almost as quickly as bodies, but his debut rattles along at a nice, taut pace.

    Richard Mellor · 2.5 out of 5
    A detective caught in a battle of wits with a killer is forced to pay for his past failings.
  • Mala Noche
    Review preview for Mala Noche

    A moody, raw piece of cinema.

    Emma Slawinski · 3 out of 5
    Moody and atmospheric picture about unrequited love on skid row.
  • Garbage Warrior
    Review preview for Garbage Warrior

    Hodge is confident and clever enough to let the story tell itself

    Jeff Robson · 4 out of 5
    Maverick architect Michael Reynolds has spent years building eco-friendly ‘sustainable’ homes in New Mexico. Just as the state authorities crack down, a call for help comes from an island hit by the Asian Tsunami.
  • Weirdsville
    Review preview for Weirdsville

    Instantly forgettable but enjoyable enough.

    Darren Amner · 2.5 out of 5
    The unlikely lives of Canadian junkies.
  • Ex Drummer
    Review preview for Ex Drummer

    As gratuitous and confrontational a story as you’re likely to come across.

    Richard Mellor · 3 out of 5
    A group of punk misfits ask a famous novelist to join their band... despite the fact he can't play, only to find their plans spiralling out of control.
  • Children Of Glory
    Review preview for Children Of Glory

    This is not a very nuanced view of the situation, but it really doesn’t pretend to be.

    Susanna Krawczyk · 4 out of 5
    The Hungarian revolution as seen from the perspective of its water polo heroes.

A–Z of Edinburgh International Film Festival 2007 reviews

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