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Edinburgh Film Festival: 15 Unmissable movies

This year’s Edinburgh International Film Festival kicked off last night and there’s something for everyone. We’ve chosen 15 EIFF movies that won’t disappoint.

Amy


Video: A24/YouTube

After its well-received debut at Cannes the documentary about music icon Amy Winehouse comes to Edinburgh. Directed by Asif Kapadia, who made the extraordinary Senna, it’s sensitive, touching and tragic.

June 18 and 20

13 Minutes


Video: STUDIOCANAL UK/YouTube

One of the films to premiere at the festival is war drama 13 Minutes, directed by Downfall’s Oliver Hirschbiegel.

June 18 and 20

The Stanford Prison Experiment


Video: IFC Films/YouTube

Director of Easier with Practice, Kyle Patrick Alvarez, turns his hand to another based-on-a-true-story movie, resulting in a gripping dramatisation of the notorious 1971 behaviour test.

June 18 and 21

Sleeping with Other People

When Harry Met Sally for A-holes” is how director Leslye Headland sums up her EIFF movie. If you enjoyed Bachelorette you’ll love this.

June 18 and 27

45 Years


Video: Cine maldito/YouTube

A heterosexual relationship that has lost its passion is the subject of Andrew Haigh’s new film, which was a big hit at the Berlinale.

June 19 and 21

Cop Car


Video: MOVIECLIPS Trailers/YouTube

If you want to see Kevin Bacon in something other than a mobile phone advert check out Jon Watt’s thriller.

June 19 and 24

Under Milk Wood


Video: Under Milk Wood Film/YouTube

One of the 24 films having its world premiere at the Edinburgh International Film Festival is Under Milk Wood. The latest film adaptation of the 1954 radio drama by Welsh poet Dylan Thomas features Rhys Ifans and Charlotte Church.

June 20 and 21

More:New Suffragette trailer is whetting our feminist appetite

Maggie


Video: MOVIECLIPS Trailers/YouTube

Who doesn’t want to see Arnold Schwarzenegger in a zombie movie?

June 20 and 23

Love & Mercy


Video: MOVIECLIPS Trailers/YouTube

Another music legend is honoured in Love & Mercy. This time it’s Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys. John Cusack and Paul Dano play Wilson at different stages of his career.

June 20 and 25

Inside Out


Video: MOVIECLIPS Trailers/YouTube

This year’s family gala, and the latest Disney-Pixar blockbuster to hold its U.K. premiere in Edinburgh, is Inside Out. It tells the tale of a young girl trying to come to terms with her emotions and the cast includes Amy Poehler.

June 21

Last Days in the Desert

Ewan McGregor plays Jesus in Rodrigo Garcia’s new drama, Last Days in the Desert, and it’s being touted as one of the highlights of the festival.

June 21

Welcome to Me


Video: MOVIECLIPS Trailers/YouTube

In Welcome to Me everyone’s favourite funny lady Kristen Wiig plays a woman with a personality disorder who goes off her meds, wins the lottery and uses the cash to broadcast her own Oprah-style talk show.

June 21 and 23

Meet Me in Montenegro

Since Alex Holdridge’s last movie was released almost 10 years ago (the wonderful In Search of a Midnight Kiss) he has been busy making a film about a filmmaker who last made a movie around a decade ago.

June 26 and 27

The Wolfpack


Video: VICE/YouTube

Six teenage brothers who’ve never left their parents’ Manhattan apartment, where they fill their days watching DVDs and remaking their favourite films, are the subject of this documentary.

June 26 and 27

Iona

The festival’s closing film is a homegrown production, a coming-of-age story written and directed by Scott Graham, starring Douglas Henshall and Ruth Negga and set against the stunning backdrop of the Inner Hebrides island Iona.

June 28

Edinburgh International Film Festival runs from June 17 to 28.

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