The GFF, one of the UK’s biggest and best festivals dedicated to the art of film, celebrating everything from new international and independent movies to beloved cult classics, is back this February 15 – 26.
The 13th annual Glasgow Film Festival has announced its line-up, which includes UK premieres of titles such as Raoul Peck’s I Am Not Your Negro, Terrence Malick’s Voyage of Time: Life’s Journey, Cate Shortland’s Berlin Syndrome and Aki Kaurismaki’s The Other Side of Hope.
The 12-day event will feature nine world and international premieres, 65 UK premieres and 67 Scottish premieres.
It will open with John Butler’s Irish coming-of-age title Handsome Devil and close with the world premiere of Mad To Be Normal, starring David Tennant, about the infamous Scottish psychiatrist R.D. Laing.
Benny, the story of Scottish boxer Benny Lynch, will also have its world premiere at the fest while soccer documentary Celtic Soul, starring Jay Baruchel will see its international premiere in Glasgow.
Here’s a look at some of the biggest events: get your tickets booked today.
Opening Gala: Handsome Devil
The GFF opening gala kicks off this year with a screening of Irish film Handsome Devil (15), directed by John Butler, playing simultaneously in Cinemas 1, 2, and 3 in the city’s famous Glasgow Film Theatre. Starring Fionn O’Shea, Nicholas Galitzine, Moe Dunford, and Andrew Scott, Handsome Devil is a spirit-lifting coming-of-age drama dealing with conflicting themes of religion and sexuality in Ireland.
With O’Shea as socially awkward 16-year-old Ned who is cast away to an all-boys boarding school, Handsome Devil follows the unlikely and frowned upon friendship that blossoms between Ned and his new roommate Conor (Nicholas Galitzine), the star of the rugby team and Mr. Popular. A story of coming-out and being true to yourself, Handsome Devil is set to be an uplifting start to the GFF 2017.
Tickets for the opening gala are £15 / £13 concession and include admission to the opening gala after-party (18+) at 29 Glasgow.
Anniversary Screening: Secretary
On the 15th anniversary of the release of Steven Shainberg’s Secretary (18), Glasgow Film Festival and Torture Garden are showing the Sundance Film Festival winner, starring James Spader, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Jeremy Davies.
Secretary follows Lee Holloway, fresh out of a mental hospital for self-mutilation, who secures a job as a secretary for a strange, eccentric boss with unusual expectations.
Acclaimed in 2002 for its sweet yet unconventional romance that is anything but soft and delicate, Secretary is a daring, original film that explores the meaning of ‘alternative’ love.
The screening will be followed by a lively, strictly 18+ after-party, taking guests into an alternative reality with TG performances, dancers, and a carefully-selected playlist.
Tickets for this GFF special event on February 24 are £14 / £12 concession with entry to the after-party included.
Secret Location: The Lost Boys
To celebrate the 30th anniversary of this much-loved, hit ‘80s movie, The Lost Boys (18) will be shown at a top-secret location somewhere in Glasgow for one night only. Attendees are being advised to dress comfortably and bring along some garlic, a cross, and a stake to fight off the bloodsuckers.
With a star-studded cast including Kiefer Sutherland, Jason Patric, Corey Haim, and Corey Feldman, Joel Schumacher’s vampire classic tells the story of two brothers who move to a mysterious town in California, only to discover their new home is a stomping ground for a gang of gruesome vampires. With older brother Michael starting to sleep in all day and disappear at night, his little brother Sam befriends two vampire hunters seeking to be a stop to the bloodsuckers plaguing the town.
Tickets for this special event on February 17 are £20 / £18 concession including travel to the spooky, secret location.
Closing gala: Mad to Be Normal
Closing the show at the GFF 2017 will be Robert Mullan’s Mad to Be Normal (15) starring David Tennant, Elisabeth Moss, Gabriel Byrne, and Michael Gambon.
The film follows the compelling story of world-renowned Scottish psychiatrist R.D. Laing (with a complex, gripping performance by David Tennant) who established Kingsley Hall in East London in 1965, performing his own ‘anti-psychiatry’ by experimenting with mind-expanding drugs and self-healing practises to treat schizophrenic patients. Both admired and feared for his radical methods, Mad to be Normal offers an in-depth insight into a multifaceted, modern Dr Jekyll character who refuses to conform to the expectations of traditional medicine.
The film delves into the dark side of Laing, his dangerous, controversial treatments, and his complicated personal life.
Mad to be Normal looks set to be a spectacular end to the festivities with both director Robert Mullan and actor David Tennant, among other cast members yet to be confirmed, attending the screening.
Tickets for the closing gala on February 26 are £15 / £13 concession with entry to the after-party (18+) at CCA Glasgow included.