Director William Friedkin and actress Gina Gershon opened the red carpet at Edinburgh’s Festival

Director William Friedkin and actress Gina Gershon took to the red carpet at Edinburgh’s Festival Theatre last night for the UK Premiere of KILLER JOE which opened the 66th Edinburgh International Film Festival. Arriving in AF Noble Subaru cars, in attendance with the filmmakers were EIFF guests including Jim Broadbent (Chair Michael Powell Jury), Elliott Gould (Chair International Jury), Edith Bowman (Juror), Kate Dickie (actor), Steven McCole (Actor), Paul McCole (Actor), Craig Hill (Comedian), Freya Mavor (actor), Brian Cox (Actor), Dylan Moran (Comedian) and Ian Rankin (Author). EIFF Artistic Director Chris Fujiwara and CEO Ken Hay also attended the premiere.

Following the screening of Friedkin’s shockingly cool and blackly comic noir thriller, guests partied the night away at The National Museum of Scotland where a KILLER JOE inspired bar, pool tables, vintage arcade and pinball machines greeted guests. A classic reconditioned Wurlitzer 1015 jukebox pumped out the tunes whilst the fantastic Danni Nicholls and band performed an energetic set. Themed canapés were served throughout the evening by Clerkenwell Green, and included corn popover with refried black eyed peas; loaded skins with grits and cheese melts; shrimp and okra fritters and southern fried chicken. Mackies ice cream topped off the food and party-goers sipped on Innis & Gunn beer, Lanson champagne and a selection of other drinks supplied by Forth Wines. DJ Cori wrapped up the evening with guests strutting their moves on the museum dance floor.  

The evening marks the start of the 12 day Festival which will host eighteen World premieres and thirteen International premieres in the capital.  Highlights include In-Person events with Jim Broadbent and Elliott Gould at which they will discuss their illustrious and extensive careers; a Shinji Somai Retrospective and Special Screenings including a new digitally restored print of LAWRENCE OF ARABIA and DR SEUSS’ THE LORAX.  The Closing Gala will be the European premiere of Disney-Pixar’s BRAVE on 30 June and the Festival finishes with Best of the Fest on Sunday 1 July. 

William Friedkin’s KILLER JOE will be released in the UK by Entertainment One UK on 29 June. The film stars Matthew McConaughey, Emile Hirsch, Juno Temple, Gina Gershon and Thomas Haden Church.

22 year-old Chris Smith (Emile Hirsch: INTO THE WILD; MILK) is a drug dealer down on his luck, but things are about to go from bad to worse when he hires the unexpectedly charming hit man Killer Joe (Matthew McConaughey: THE LINCOLN LAWYER; HOW TO LOSE A GUY IN 10 DAYS; A TIME TO KILL) to murder his own mother for her $50,000 life insurance policy. With barely a dollar to his name Chris agrees to offer up his younger sister, Dottie (Juno Temple: upcoming DIRTY GIRL; THE DARK KNIGHT RISES; ATONEMENT), as sexual collateral in exchange for Joe’s services until he receives the insurance money.  That is, if it ever does come in.
   

The Edinburgh International Film Festival 20 June - 1 July 2012

About the Edinburgh International Film Festival:
Established in 1947, Edinburgh International Film Festival is renowned around the world for discovering and promoting the very best in international cinema - and for heralding and debating changes in global filmmaking. Intimate in its scale, ambitious in its scope, and fuelled by pure passion for cinema in all its manifestations, EIFF seeks to spotlight the most exciting and innovative new film talent, in a setting steeped in history.

Notable films premiered in recent years have included: 35 SHOTS OF RUM, THE HURT LOCKER, MOON, FISH TANK, LET THE RIGHT ONE IN, SOMERS TOWN, MAN ON WIRE, CONTROL, KNOCKED UP, RATATOUILLE, LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE, AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH, TSOTSI, BILLY ELLIOT and AMORES PERROS.

EIFF is supported by Creative Scotland, the City of Edinburgh Council, EventScotland, the Scottish Government through the Edinburgh Festivals Expo Fund and the BFI.  EIFF is proud to be part of the Year of Creative Scotland, a Scottish Government initiative led in partnership by EventScotland, VisitScotland, Creative Scotland and VOCAL, which is spotlighting and celebrating Scotland’s cultural and creative strengths on a world stage.

The Centre for the Moving Image (CMI) was founded in 2010 with a vision to be at the forefront of film and the moving image in Scotland.  The CMI currently comprises the EIFF, Edinburgh Filmhouse and Edinburgh Film Guild and its aim is to lead, inspire, educate and entertain in the moving image space.  The CMI is currently developing an ambitious plan to create new businesses and initiatives in Scotland related to film thought and practice.