Karen Koren: Big names arrive for Edinburgh Film Festival

Meg Ryan at the Edinburgh International Film Festival. Picture: Scott Louden

This year is the 70th year and the opening film was Tommy’s Honour, directed by Sean Connery’s son, Jason Connery and stars Peter Mullan. A wonderful display of tartan and tweed was to be found at the Festival Theatre where the stalwarts of Scottish film took to the stage to officially declare the festival open. On the red carpet I managed to catch a glimpse of Dougray Scott, Jason Connery, Peter Mullan and Jack Lowden who played Mullan’s son in the period drama set in Fife, looking at the early beginnings of the game of golf. Andy Gray played a cameo in the film adding some comic relief, a good choice to begin the festival.

During the festival, Hollywood actress Meg Ryan, above, is visiting to promote her directorial debut, Ithaca. She will join other well known names including Kim Cattrall, Clancy Brown, Kevin Smith and Brian Cox. I had a chat with the lovely Martin Compston from Line of Duty at the party in the museum and he told me he was about to get married a few days later and then only have two days off before he had to get back to filming.

On Sunday there was a special screening to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Danny Boyle’s Trainspotting, while filming is going on in Edinburgh for the sequel with the original cast.

I was not able to see the final film in the festival as I was away. It was the remake of Whisky Galore. The original film was released in 1949 and based on the book by Compton McKenzie. It’s the true story during war time rationing, the SS Politician ran aground with a cargo of 264,000 bottles of malt whisky. Acting in the remake is Gregor Fisher and Eddie Izzard playing the Captain of the Home Guard. Look forward to catching it.