Eva’s journey.. from Edinburgh attic to centre stage

Filmmaker Eva Victor introducing Sorry, Baby alongside Festival director Paul Ridd Photo: Richard Mowe

The last time Eva Victor (writer, director and star of Sorry, Baby) was in Edinburgh was in 2014 when she appeared with an improv group on the Fringe.

“We performed in an attic to two audience members so this already is way better,” she told the first nighters at the Edinburgh International Film Festival when she presented her debut feature to audiences at the Cameo and the reborn Filmhouse.

“That visit, however, was totally cool and a rite of passage,” she smiled alongside festival director Paul Ridd. “It’s great to be back and to open the film festival. The welcome is so warm and friendly and audiences in Sundance and Cannes were not nearly as nice as you guys,” she gushed and flashed her tartan off the shoulder dress worn with the appreciative home crowd in mind.

Sorry, Baby Photo: Courtesy of Sundance Institute

Victor added that she had made the film at a time “when I felt very unheard and it means the world to me that you are here and willing to listen to what it has to say. When you release a film you do so to a faceless group of people and hope that some of it comes out the other side. So seeing your faces tonight means a lot.”

Ridd in his opening remarks recalled seeing the film at Sundance in January at which point “we knew we had to have it for Edinburgh because it touches on a difficult subject with humanity, grace, and humour.” In his programme notes Ridd praised Victor as "a major talent to be reckoned with… one of the most moving and emotional indie films of the year."

He described cinema in general terms “as one of the most powerful and direct forms of artistic expression, especially at a time of global uncertainty and strife.” He relished the fact that in 43 new features and various shorts programmes audiences could discover work that “excites, moves and challenges us.”

The opening screenings were followed by an after-party in the Festival Hub, at Central Halls in Tollcross, conveniently situated between The Filmhouse and The Cameo. The 78th edition of EIFF continues until 20 August. Sorry, Baby is distributed in the UK and Ireland by Picturehouse on August 22.