Scottish Comedy Boyz In The Wood Opens 2019 Edinburgh Film Festival

Next month will see the the oldest International film festival, Edinburgh  kick-off its 73rd program. Today the festival has revealed it’s opening gala will be Boyz in the Wood.The film will be European Premier which will take place at Festival Theatre on Wednesday 19th June.

Set deep in the Scottish Highlands, Boyz in the Wood is an anarchic cocktail of generational politics, hip-hop loving farmers, and hallucinogenic rabbit droppings. As four city boys try to escape a mysterious huntsman, played brilliantly by a menacing Eddie Izzard, the Highlands’ police force trails behind, failing spectacularly and hilariously to provide assistance.

Izzard will be ed by rising stars Rian Gordon, Samuel Bottomley, Viraj Juneja and Lewis Gribben lead a star-studded cast. The film also includes many Scottish greats Kate Dickie, EIFF Honorary Patron James Cosmo and Kevin Guthrie.

The film is the debut feature of music video director Ninian Doff, who also penned the script, a long-time friend and er of EIFF, who was one of the first graduates of film group SKAMM (Scottish Kids Are Making Movies), held at Edinburgh Filmhouse and run by Shiona Wood, to whom Doff dedicates the film to in the closing credits.

Doff says: “It’s hard to put into words what a huge honour it is for me to have Boyz in the Wood open the Edinburgh International Film Festival 2019. It’s been an incredible journey for me and real tribute to the amazing start I got all those years ago at this very festival. I’m from Edinburgh and for my debut film I really wanted to make a film that captured a very particular Scottish joy, madness and humour; and that was also modern, political and forward looking. Everybody, both cast and crew, brought so much ion and energy to make this film and it’s going to be very special for it to have its European Premiere, not only in my hometown, but also at such an important festival.”

Festival director Mark Adams added: “We are thrilled to be opening this year’s festival with this vibrant, energetic and wonderfully raucous new film that showcases a wide range of Scottish talent, from rising stars to established performers. Boyz in the Wood is a blast from start to finish and will start EIFF perfectly.”

It’s hoped Ninian Doff and the cast will attend the red carpet at this year’s Festival.

There’s no word on what film will close this year’s Edinburgh International Film Festival. The news on that film will be announced shortly. The full program for the 73rd edition of the festival will be launched on 29th May.

Tickets for Boyz In The Wood will go on sale today, Wednesday 1st May. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.edfilmfest.org.uk/2019/boyz-wood

The 73rd edition of Edinburgh International Film Festival runs from 19 – 30 June 2019.