Art and Culture

Chris Fujiwara, Artistic Director of Edinburgh International Film Festival. The Edinburgh International Film Festival 2013 is about to come to a close for another year, so why not make the most of your weekend at the movies! We've had over 146 interesting, exciting and funny movies this year, screening in cinema's spread out on your door step. Now with only three days left of EIFF, I've suggested three fantastic 'must-see' […]

Rating: *** We Are The Freaks is a surreal and anti-teen movie set in Thatcher-era England, about three teenagers having the night of their lives. It's a bizarre film with a hilarious script and has a lot of influence coming from 'The Inbetweeners' and Danny Boyle's 'Trainspotting'. Something I really enjoyed in this comedy was the direct address from the characters. I hadn't seen this in movies for a while […]

With over 700 events planned you can see why the Edinburgh International Book Festivals director Nick Barley is describing this years programme as a ‘celebration of an extraordinary generation of talent’ Featured in a strand of music events called ‘Making Music’ will be a series of interviews hosted by author Ian Rankin with pop legends Tim Burgess and Peter Hook along with talks from Cerys Matthews, David and Carrie Grant, […]

Armed with only my Standard Grade Physics certificate and my EIFF Pass today I ventured into the world of Steven Hawking. Expecting to be baffled by science instead I was guided through the story of Hawking’s early life, his time at university and his struggle with Motor Neurone Disease. Narrated by Steven himself, the documentary is punctuated by short reconstructions with actors and interviews with key people from his life. […]

Rating: **** This heart-warming film follows Martin Bonner who has left behind his life and family to work in Reno for an organisation that helps newly released prisoners adapt to the life outside the prison system. Meanwhile Travis Holloway has just completed a 12-year prison sentence. He try's to re-establish his relationship with his teenage daughter and builds himself a new life in Reno. Both characters come from different backgrounds […]

Rating: **** Svengali tells the story of Dixie, a postman from South Wales, who has dreamed all his life of discovering a great band. One day, after searching through YouTube, he finds them.. 'The Premature Congratulations'. Dixie and his cheerful girlfriend Michelle move to London to manage the band. However, Dixie's dreams get in the way of reality as he embarks on a roller coaster ride through the music industry […]

The Edinburgh International Film Festival returns this year with 146 action packed and exciting movies for you to watch. If you're unsure on what movies to see this week, below is a list of 5 movies I have selected as a 'must see' during this year's event. Wednesday 19th June: Breathe InKeith, played by Guy Pearce, is a high school music teacher and family man in Westchester County, New York […]

In front of a large gathering of press in Edinburgh’s Filmhouse cinema today artistic director of the Edinburgh International Film Festival Chris Fujiwara announced the programme for this year’s festival. The 67th edition of the festival which runs from 19-30th June, will showcase 146 features from 53 countries, including 14 World premieres, 6 international premieres and 10 European premieres. Included this year is a new strand of films picked by […]

This was the first time I had seen Pete Firman perform at Edinburgh's Festival Fringe. After the first quarter of his show, I was mind-blown by the tricks and stunts he pulled. Involving members of the audience and comparing himself to Rocky was brilliant! Arriving on stage with a cheap wand, he shouts to the audience “do you want to see magic? *BOOM* magic!”. Pete's talent isn't only magic, he […]