Eurovision Song Contest movie is a cheese-filled delight – Angus Robertson

Netflix’s new film, Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga was shot in Edinburgh, which hosted the real event nearly 50 years ago, writes Angus Robertson.

Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga stars Will Ferrell as Lars Erickssong and Rachel McAdams as Sigrit Ericksdottir. (Picture: John Wilson/Netflix)

Eurovision song contest fans have had a long time to wait since the competition was last in Edinburgh. On Saturday March 25, 1972, performers took to the stage of the Usher Hall where Luxembourg’s Vicky Leandros won with Après toi and the UK entry did surprisingly well, coming second.

If you don’t want to wait any longer to see how the international song competition might look in present-day Edinburgh you should watch the newly released Netflix movie, which is largely set and shot in the Scottish capital. Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga features the fictional Icelandic pop duo Lars Erickssong (Will Ferrell) and Sigrit Ericksdottir (Rachel McAdams) on their unlikely quest for victory.

As is to be expected from a Will Ferrell movie it is raucously cheesy, cliché-filled with stereotypes galore and as camp as you would expect for a film about the Eurovision.

There are cameos from Pierce Brosnan and Demi Lovato and a “song-along” featuring a who’s-who of recent Eurovision stars including Conchita Wurst, Bilal Hassani, John Lundvik, Jamala, Alexander Rybak and Netta Barzilai. Edinburgh scenes featured in the movie include Calton Hill, Princes Street Gardens, Victoria Street, Albany Street and the Hydro in Glasgow makes a guest appearance in the Capital.

Spoiler Alert: Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga is a parody. It’s a movie that doesn’t take itself too seriously and neither should you.

If you are looking for some fun with a film set in Edinburgh, give it a whirl.

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