Booked!

It's back!

After what I can only call the most disappointing event I've ever attended last year, the Edinburgh International Film Festival 2012 rolled out its programme today, and boy does it deliver, for me at least!

Film is my original passion. I love it, and since I started living in Edinburgh, this annual festival has been a part of my life and opened my eyes to a lot more than the usual Hollywood fare. My two week holiday was booked months ago, as soon as the dates were announced and today I took a half day off work to pour over my selection for this year and book my tickets before they go on general release tomorrow (membership has it's privileges)!

Returning to the tried and tested formula, EIFF2012 sees the return of the retrospective strands, celebrating the works of directors Sinji Somai and Gregory La Cava and after three years the Surprise Movie. This unannounced film is a complete vote of trust in the festival planners. You pay your £9 and walk into the dark room having no idea what you are going to see. Hit or miss, it's always a guaranteed sell out. Unfortunately, due to scheduling clashes I'm going to miss it, but I'd recommend the experience.

Another disappointment last year was a complete lack of Asian cinema, normally one of the cornerstones of the festival. Well, it makes a return on a grand scale, not only with the 13 retrospective films above, but with a number of documentaries about the Fukushima disaster and aftermath, a strand of 12 films from independent filmmakers from the Philippines as well as features from Taiwan, South Korea, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia and Japan. 53 countries from around the world are represented this year with a collection of features and documentaries that must contain something to suit everyone's taste.

Also (thankfully) returning is the multi-buy ticket discount, which means I didn't have to follow through on last year's threat to limit my attendance. 10% or 20% off depending on how many tickets you buy in one go. It's fair to say I met the criteria for the larger discount. My initial squint through the programme saw me highlight 78 possible films for viewing. By the time I weeded out scheduling clashes and made some tough decisions of which films to prioritise I made my final 35 film selection for this year.

20/06 ~ Killer Joe
21/06 ~ PP Rider, Borrowed Time, The Invader
22/06 ~ The Catch, Rent-a-Cat, Fred, Grabbers
23/06 ~ Either Way, Dragon, Life Without Principle, Guinnea Pigs
24/06 ~ The Friends, Lost Chapter of Snow: Passion, Exit Elena, Jackpot
25/06 ~ Kazahana, Nino, Day of the Flowers
26/06 ~ Luminous Woman, Isn't Anyone Alive?
27/06 ~ Unfair World, MNL 143
28/06 ~ Gabriel over the White House, California Solo, Nuclear Nation
29/06 ~ Tokyo Heaven, Berberian Sound Studio, Shadow Dancer
30/06 ~ Brake, God Bless America, Brave
01/07 ~ Sailor Suit and Machine Gun, Chapiteau Show, Private Worlds

I'm meeting up with my dad for the films in italics but if anyone is going to any of the others and fancies meeting up, then let me know. Heh, of course with my schedule it might be a "hi" and "bye" on either side of the film! ;- ) Even if you don't and just use the list to avoid me :- ) I can't recommend the festival enough. If you have the slightest interest in film and will be in Edinburgh between 20th June and 1st July I urge you to have a look at the website and see if there is anything that grabs your attention.

Hope everyone had/is having a great Wednesday. I'll be back after tea to catch up with your days!