Film Festival 2018 opening and closing premieres revealed

Scotland's acclaimed Kelly Macdonald and Welsh star Rob Brydon will star in the opening and closing screenings of 2018's Edinburgh International Film Festival (20 June - 1 July 2018). 

Macdonald (Trainspotting, Gosford Park, Brave, No Country for Old Men) will star in the spellbinding drama Puzzle from director Marc Turtletaub as the film makes its international premiere at the Festival.

Win a trip to Edinburgh for the premiere of Puzzle 

Puzzle tells the story of Agnes, a woman who has never explored the world beyond her home, family and community, and how the gift of a jigsaw puzzle sets her on a path to self-discovery. 

This newfound freedom is strengthened when she meets reclusive puzzle-master Robert, played by legend of Hindi cinema Irrfan Khan (also known for Jurassic World, Slumdog Millionaire, The Jungle Book, The Amazing Spider-Man), who helps Agnes find her inner courage and strength. 

Mark Adams, Artistic Director of Edinburgh International Film Festival said: 

We are thrilled to be able to celebrate the undeniable talent of Kelly Macdonald in this wonderfully enjoyable and uplifting film. It is a subtle and impressive new film that succeeds on all levels.

Both Macdonald and director Turtletaub are expected to be present at the film's opening gala on Wednesday 20 June and Turtletaub added: 

It's a great honor to be invited to have Puzzle open Edinburgh International Film Festival 2018. This world class Festival has been a personal favorite for a long time - and being able to showcase Kelly’s performance here makes it even more rewarding.

Making a splash at the other end of the festival meanwhile will be the UK premiere of hotly-anticipated British comedy, Swimming with Men, starring Rob Brydon, Adeel Akhtar, Jim Carter, Rupert Graves, Daniel Mays, Charlotte Riley, Thomas Turgoose with Jane Horrocks and Nathaniel Parker. 

Swimming with Men is a classic British comedy delight packed with a series of quite wonderful performances,

said Mark Adams, Artistic Director of Edinburgh International Film Festival, adding,

It is the perfect film to wrap up a Festival that prides itself on celebrating all that is great about British filmmaking.

Directed by Oliver Parker, Swimming with Men takes its audience into the world of all-male synchronised swimming, where Brydon's struggling middle-aged accountant Eric finds relief from the stresses of life. As Eric and his fellow swimmers share companionship and support, the squad builds towards a chance at World Championship glory in Italy. 

Director Oliver Parker said:

It’s such an honour and a real pleasure to be having our UK premiere as the closing film at Edinburgh International Film Festival. I can’t think of a better place for our intrepid swimmers to take the plunge.

Following its UK premiere at the Festival, distributor Vertigo Releasing will be releasing Swimming with Men on 6 July, 2018. Tickets for the premiere are available to book now.

Following the Festival, Puzzle is set to be released in the UK by Sony Pictures Releasing this Summer. Tickets for the premiere are available to book now.

The full programme of the 72nd Edinburgh International Film Festival will be announced by EIFF Artistic Director, Mark Adams, on Wednesday 23 May. Tickets go on sale to Filmhouse members on Wednesday 23 May at 12noon and on sale to the public on Friday 25 May at 10am. Find out more at  www.edfilmfest.org.uk

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