Film Festival union row over Malcolm McDowell invite

FILM union Bectu is demanding the Edinburgh International Film Festival should withdraw an invitation to a star of Stanley Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange in a row over money owed to a Scottish film crew.
Malcolm McDowell. Picture: GettyMalcolm McDowell. Picture: Getty
Malcolm McDowell. Picture: Getty

The union says Malcolm McDowell left the crew thousands of pounds out of pocket following the collapse of his pet project, Monster Butler, a £7 million crime drama based on the true story of Glasgow butler Arhcibald Hall who killed five people in the 1970s.

Elaborate sets were built at Gosford House in East Lothian and despite overdue wages and mounting bills, the crew continued working on the project because Mr McDowell, who was one of the producers, gave them a personal assurance they would be paid.

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Bectu official Paul McManus said: “To see Malcolm return to Scotland to promote himself and his latest work is grossly insulting to Bectu and its members.

“The film festival has displayed a significant lack of sensitivity towards the freelance film community in Scotland by extending this invitation to him and we believe it should be withdrawn.”

An EIFF spokeswoman said: “Malcolm is coming to the festival to promote his new film Bereave and we look forward to welcoming him.”

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