Edinburgh International Film Festival Unveils retrospectives for 2008

By Carla Callaghan

This year, The Edinburgh International Film Festival has introduced retrospective pieces based on two great contributors to the world of cinema.   Film enthusiasts will get to watch pieces based on iconic French actress, Jeanne Moreau and late American actress and filmmaker, Shirley Clarke. The legendary actress, Jeanne Moreau also wrote, directed and produced some of French cinema’s biggest films. Some of Moreau’s most acclaimed films include: Francois Truffaut’s “Jules et Jim, Louis Malle’s “Lift to the Scaffold” and Orson Welles’s “The Trial”. The showcase of films in the Shirley Clarke will include “The Cool World”, “Portrait of Jason” and “The Connection”. Clarkes forty-year career started off as a dancer, then she went onto establishing herself as a director for feature films, distinctive documentaries and short films. EIFF Artistic Director Hannah McGill said: “Jeanne Moreau and Shirley Clarke represent exactly the sort of trailblazing spirit, boldness and intelligence that we celebrate yearly at EIFF.” Story continues ADVERTISEMENT She continued: “I think Moreau could confidently claim to have worked with more true legends of cinema than any other actress – quite apart from being a creative dynamo in her own right.” Talking about Shirley Clarke, McGill says: “Shirley Clarke, though less well-known, is an outstanding discovery, a true iconoclast, and a pioneer in so many fields.” McGill added: “Those who know these women’s work will appreciate and share my excitement – those who don’t, have everything to look forward to in June.” The EIFF started in 1947 and has since presented some of the cinema world’s most successful and important films and has played host to filmmakers such as Jean-Pierre Jeunet, Alejandro González Iñárritu and Steven Daldry. The 62nd annual festival has moved to June this year in order to expand its already international reputation and widen its audience appeal. Some of the great films screened in the past few years have included Mrs Brown, the French love story Amelie, and British comedy, East is East.   Patrons of the festival include Narnia star, Tilda Swinton and Scots legend, Sir Sean Connery.

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