Welcome to the 3rd dumfriesfilmfestival!

In our third year, we are delighted to present a more diverse programme, introducing new stands, which include something for everyone, across a range of venues: the Robert Burns Centre, DG One and Gracefield Arts Centre in Dumfries and the CatStrand in New Galloway.

Our 'Made in Dumfries and Galloway' strand celebrates the region's landscape and heritage with screenings of films made here including the short period drama, 'The Bedfords', and a special outdoor premiere of the feature film 'Dark Nature'. We are delighted to welcome special guests Charles Jencks to introduce a film about his outstanding garden at Portrack, and presenter Neil Oliver and series producer Richard Downes to host a discussion about the BBC flagship series 'A History of Scotland'.

Hollywood scriptwriter Brian Ward will deliver a master-class in our 'Screenwriting' strand, there is an opportunity to make your own animation in the 'Childrens' strand, and enjoy the best films from around the globe in our 'World Cinema' strand. We are continuing our environmental theme from previous years with a regional premiere of 'Age of Stupid'.

We hope this year's festival will surprise you, make you think, appreciate Dumfries and Galloway's wild and beautiful places, and above all, entertain.

Box Office: 01387 264808

Fri 1 May (10.45) & Sun 3 May (3.30)

The Young Victoria (PG) – Dir. Jean-Marc Vallée

UK USA 2009, 1h40m. Contains one scene of mild injury.

Cast Emily Blunt, Rupert Friend, Jim Broadbent, Miranda Richardson

Cinema previously celebrated an ageing Queen Victoria with ‘Mrs Brown’, but this delightful costume drama looks at the monarch’s early life, replacing the abiding image of our longest-reigning monarch as a dour, strait-laced widow with a portrait of a joyous and passionate young woman.

Victoria became queen aged just 18, and the film follows the early, often turbulent, years of her reign and her marriage to Prince Albert. Emily Blunt puts healthy vigour and sexuality into the role of Victoria, while Rupert Friend catches just the right nuances of a man who must figure out how to be a second fiddle.

Packed with drama, romance and political intrigue, and featuring meticulous set and costume design, breathtaking cinematography and an outstanding cast, this is a truly captivating film.

The screening will be preceded by ‘The Bedfords’, a far from ordinary period short film which was made in Dumfries and Galloway last year with the support of the South West Scotland Screen Commission.

The twenty minute film looks at Victorian Monarch of The Glen painter Sir Edwin Landseer’s romance with the Duchess of Bedford after he is invited to her Highland home to do a portrait of the family.

With a star turn from celebrated Scots polymath Alasdair Gray, directed by fellow artist Henry Coombes.

Friday 1 May (6.00)

21st Century Garden Art – Dir. Christoph Schuch

2005, 50m

The Enchanted Gardens of Ivan Hicks & Charles Jencks Garden of Cosmic Speculation

‘21st Century Garden Art’ presents the latest innovations, as well as the most interesting persons setting the pace for landscape and garden architecture. The 13-part series explores what forms can gardens be expected to take in the 21st century, and which functions must a present day garden fulfil.

The series asks, how can human culture be reconciled to the natural environment? And, can modern mankind regain its lost Paradise? We present two films from the series that portray garden artists who, by respecting national traditions as well as the unique nature and character of the local topography, have succeeded in establishing a living relationship between their gardens and the realities of modern culture.

The Enchanted Gardens of Ivan Hicks

Ivan Hicks is very likely England’s drollest garden artist. For, in a whimsical design style of a decidedly surrealistic bent, Hicks’ art succeeds in deftly combining respect for mythic tradition to a profoundly modern worldview. Hicks’ garden designs are rooted in the Earth itself, baring the influence of ancient Celtic mythology, and in particular, its worship of trees. This film presents the most remarkable and representative sampling of Ivan Hicks’ garden creations.

Charles Jencks Garden of Cosmic Speculation

Charles Jencks, the leading architectural critic of postmodernism, transforms his knowledge of the complexity theories into a fascinating garden amidst amidst our local landscape at Portrack, just outside Dumfries, which deals with a theme no less than the universe. Twenty-five minutes is barely enough to introduce the impressive garden of 16 hectares and the philosophy behind it.

Charles Jencks will introduce the film and take questions afterwards.

Friday 1 May (8.00)

A History of Scotland

Bishop Makes King 1306 - 1332

Archaeologist Neil Oliver charts the country’s story from its earliest sense of identity through to the modern day and the advent of devolution in a landmark 10-part television series ‘A History of Scotland’.

One of the most ambitious historical television series ever created, two years in the making and costing more than £2m, ‘A History of Scotland’ presents a visually stunning perspective on the nation’s past and challenges perceptions and the “mythology” of popular history.

Much of the events in the third episode, ‘Bishop Makes King 1306 – 1332’, took place in Dumfries and Galloway when Robert the Bruce, aided by Scotland’s bishops, harnessed the power of Scottish patriotism to win full-blown independence and freedom from external interference.

Introduced by series producer Richard Downes and followed by a question and answer, discussing the relationship between TV and history. Subject to the filming schedule for the next series, we very much hope that Neil Oliver will also be able attend the screening.

Sat 2 May (8.45am)

The Interpreter (12A) – Dir. Sydney Pollack

USA UK France 2005, 2h8m

Cast Nicole Kidman, Sean Penn

Nicole Kidman and Sean Penn deliver exemplary performances in a political thriller written by Brian Ward set inside the United Nations, when a US Secret Service agent is assigned to investigate an interpreter who overhears an assassination plot.

An intelligently written plot designed to keep viewers guessing right up until the final moments of the film.

Introduced by Brian Ward (writer of The Interpreter).

Sat 2 May (11.00 – 1.00)

The Interpreter: Frame by Frame

Tickets £10. Price includes entry to ‘The Interpreter’.

Are you interested in finding more about how films are put together and what makes a successful film? In this two hour workshop director and screenwriter Eleanor Yule will introduce the thriller genre and examine how the conventions of this genre are applied to ‘The Interpreter’ written by Brian Ward.

Through an in-depth analysis of elements of the film such as character story, plot, dialogue and tone, the workshop will breakdown and get under the skin of the film and provide a critical understanding of the mechanics of how it works.

Eleanor Yule is an awarding winning writer and director and teaches the acclaimed industry recognised Writers Factory Introduction to Screenwriting course (www.screenacademyscotland.ac.uk) .

All welcome, no experience necessary. However you will get more from the workshop if you have watched the film beforehand. Details of screen times above.

Sat 2 May (2.00)

Screenwriting Masterclass Brian Ward & James Mavor

FREE EVENT but booking essential

Brian Ward was born and raised in Glasgow where he studied painting at Glasgow School of Art before attending the National Film& Television School (where he is now a visiting tutor).

He has worked in the film and TV business for nearly 30 years - writing and directing. His screenwriting credits include ‘The Interpreter’, ‘Death Defying Acts’, and the popular TV series ‘Shoebox Zoo’. He has also directed over 50 music videos for artists as diverse as Sade, Art Garfunkel and AC/DC.

Brian will be in conversation with James Mavor, screenwriter of ‘Reichenbach Falls’ (BBC) and tutor at Screen Academy Scotland (www.screenacademyscotland.ac.uk) who are hosting this event.

Saturday 2 May (2.00)

Scotland on Film The Movie (U)

1h30m

Tickets £5.00 / £4.00 including coffee & cakes

A journey through life, from the cradle to the grave, told through footage from the Scottish Screen Archive. Anyone with a love and affinity for Scotland is in for a visual treat.

Based on the immensely popular BBC series ‘Scotland on Film’, this film takes a journey through life - starting with Scottish childhood and ending with old age. It provides a unique and timeless record of Scotland’s heritage with a focus on themes such as childhood, schooldays, home-life and change. ‘Scotland on Film - The Movie’ captures Scotland’s heritage through those who know it best: the people who witnessed it.

The screening will be followed by coffee and cakes and a talk by the film’s producer, Richard Downes.

VENUE: CatStrand, New Galloway, Castle Douglas, DG7 3RN
www.catstrand.com

Sat 2 May (10.00 - 1.00) + Sat 2 May (2.00 - 5.00)

Animation Workshop

Tickets £10. Recommended for age 8 – 12.

Create your own short stop frame animation. This hands-on workshop will demonstrate the basic techniques of stop frame animation and in just a few hours you will be able to create your own animation clip, and discover the magic of bringing inanimate objects to life!

You will receive a DVD of the films made during the session. Snack provided.

VENUE: DG One (Solway Suite)

Sat 2 May (5.30)

The Song of Sparrows / Avaze Gonjeshk-ha – Dir. Majid Majidi

Iran 2008, 1h36m, Farsi with subtitles

Cast Reza Naji, Maryam Akbari, Kamran Dehghan, Hamed Aghazi

Join us for some film treats from around the world. ‘Song of Sparrows’ follows Karim, a worker on an ostrich farm outside of Tehran, Iran whose daily life is full of commotion. A lighthearted film filled with humour and vibrance.

Karim leads a simple and contented life with his family in his small house, until one day when one of the ostriches runs away. Karim is blamed for the loss and is fired from the farm. Soon after, he travels to the city in order to repair his elder daughter’s hearing aid but finds himself mistaken for a motorcycle taxi driver.

Thus begins his new profession: ferrying people and goods through heavy traffic. But the people and material goods that he deals with daily starts to transform Karim’s generous and honest nature, much to the distress of his wife and daughters. It is up to those closest to him to restore the values that he had once cherished.

Sat 2 May (7.30)

The Boat that Rocked (15) – Dir. Richard Curtis

UK 2009, 2h12m

Cast Philip Seymour Hoffman, Bill Nighy, Rhys Ifans

In 1966, during British pop’s formative years, rock ‘n’ roll was limited to just two hours of radio airtime every week. But four miles out at sea a bunch of music-loving Pirate DJs brought rock ‘n’ roll pop to the people 24 hours a day. They were national heroes. But back on land the government was determined to stop them whatever the cost.

‘The Boat That Rocked’ is a hilarious ensemble comedy from Richard Curtis (‘Four Weddings and a Funeral’, ‘Notting Hill’, ‘Bridget Jones’ Diary’), starring Philip Seymour Hoffman and Rhys Ifans as competitive disc jockeys working under Bill Nighy on a run down boat in the English Channel.

Saturday 2 May 7.30 – 11.00

Dark Nature

Cast and Crew preview screening and Dumfries and Galloway Perfect Movie Map Launch

7.30pm Movie Map Launch, 8.00pm Hog Roast BBQ, 9.15pm Dark Nature Outdoor Screening

Dumfries and Galloway Perfect Movie Map

VisitScotland and the South West Scotland Screen Commission launch their new Movie Map and accompanying website which will highlight key locations from movie and television productions filmed right here in Dumfries and Galloway. As location hunting or “set jetting” becomes more and more popular, this new map showcases how attractive Dumfries and Galloway has become as a filming location, and enhances the visitor experience by providing a fresh new angle to view the region.

Outdoor Screening at Gracefield Arts Centre

Take part in a evening celebrating the launch of the Dumfries and Galloway Movie Map and outdoor cast and crew preview screening of the feature film ‘Dark Nature’ which was shot on location in the region last year. Followed by a delicious hog roast BBQ and refreshments.

There will be a marquee with seating set up in the Gracefield grounds to provide cover for the outdoor screening but please wrap up warmly and do feel free to bring a rug or comfy chair.

Sun 3 May (1.30) + Mon 4 May (2.00)

Monsters vs Aliens (PG) – Dir. Rob Letterman, Conrad Vernon

US 2009, 1h34m

Voice cast Reese Witherspoon, Seth Rogen, Hugh Laurie

Prepare for the ultimate showdown when the world is threatened by multi-eyed aliens. The last line of defence is a bunch of monster misfits more cute than deadly!

Ginormica, a huge blonde beauty, is their reluctant leader but can she bring together their eccentric personalities and bizarre powers to form an army to protect the Earth?

Fantastic comedy characters and out of this world CGI animation.

Sunday 3 May (6.00)

The Land / Al-Ard – Dir. Youssef Chahine

Egypt 1969, 2h10m, Arabic with subtitles

Cast Nagwa Ibrahim, Hamdi Ahmad

Set in the cotton-growing countryside alongside the Nile, ‘The Land’ is a celebration of the land (and water) that has provided the basis for life and the life cycle in the Nile Valley for millennium after millennium. It is an epic story of the plight of villagers who want only to be left in peace to till their land and lead their lives. However, they are at the mercy of far-off bureaucrats who care only for the wishes of the large landowners. Like many films south of the Sahara, ‘The Land’ brings to life the intimate relations between the peasant men and women and the land (as well as the water) that sustains them. It is simultaneously a moral outcry and a call to action.

Eight years in the making, this classic film by Egypt's greatest filmmaker, adapted from Abdel Rahman al- Sharqawi's well-known novel of the same name, was named the best Egyptian film ever made in a recent poll of Egyptian film critics.

Sunday 3 May (8.30)

North Face / Nordwand (12A) – Dir. Philipp Stölzl

Germany Austria Switzerland 2008, 2h1m, German, French and Italian with subtitles
Contains infrequent bloody injury detail.

Cast Benno Fürmann, Florian Lukas, Johanna Wokalek

The best mountaineering film since ‘Touching The Void’, this gripping drama is based on the incredible true story of two Bavarian soldiers, Toni Kurz and Andi Hinterstoisser, and their attempted assent of the perilous north face of the Eiger in the summer of 1936. As they get ready for their climb, they meet Luise, Toni’s childhood sweetheart, a journalist who has been sent to report about the conquest of the mountain with her fellow reporter, a Nazi follower.

While a dramatic struggle for survival unfolds on the North Face, Luise sets out to save her lover. A race against time and the forces of nature begins...

The breathtaking cinematography makes you feel like you’re right there, hanging off the side of the mountain.

Mon 4 May (4.00)

The Age of Stupid (12A) – Dir. Franny Armstrong

UK 2009, 1h30m

Cast Pete Postlethwaite

Pete Postlethwaite stars as a man living alone in the devastated world of 2055 as he looks back at archive footage from 2007 and asks: why didn’t we stop climate change when we had the chance?

Carrying on from where ‘An Inconvenient Truth’ left off, this drama-doc tackles climate change and the environmental toll of consumerism, and demonstrates the need for massive personal and social change if we are to avert disaster. The film’s subjects range from emerging Indian airlines and anti-wind farm NIMBY-ism (“not in my back yard”), to Hurricane Katrina and the visible signs of biospheric collapse in the Alps. A truly radical, thought-provoking film, this is simply unmissable for anyone who cares about the future of the planet.

‘The Age of Stupid’ is a powerful call to action for us all

After the screening, staff from the Crichton Carbon Centre will lead a discussion in which the audience will be invited to explore the conclusions of the film and to discuss its implications for individuals and organisations in the region.

Not Stupid aims to turn 250 million viewers of ‘The Age of Stupid’ into climate activists, all focused virtually or physically on Copenhagen, where the successor to the Kyoto Treaty must be finalised in December 2009.
Join in at www.notstupid.org

Mon 4 May (6.30)

I Know Where I'm Going (U) – Dir. Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger

UK 1945, 1h28m Contains mild peril.
Cast Wendy Hiller, Roger Livesey, John Laurie, Pamela Brown

A confident, young city woman travels by train and ferry to the Hebrides to marry her rich, elderly fiancee. But along the way, she falls under the spell of the Scottish landscape and encounters another man with whom she falls passionately in love.

This synopsis, however, can do little to convey the unique power of this film, with its odd, dreamlike interludes, its weird symbolism, its sense of ancient forces and the supernatural, and its alertness to the possibility of romantic love. The film demonstrates Powell’s unusual sensitivity and respect for the lives and ways of remote island communities, and his spiritual feel for landscape. It is a magical, unforgettable experience, a work of real and enduring genius.

"I've never seen a picture which smelled of the wind and rain in quite this way nor one which so beautifully exploited the kind of scenery people actually live with, rather than the kind which is commercialised as a show place." - Raymond Chandler