Edinburgh International Film Festival 04 Launch

The 58th Edinburgh International Film Festival (18-29 August 04) launched at Covent Garden's Hospital. FR's gorgeous Rachael Booth was there, her bosom heaving at the memory. Heave with Rachael as a champagne hangover gives way to total recall

Fronted by the always Helmut-Lang-suited Shane Danielsen - Film Person of the Year - FR Awards 04 the Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) launched their programme at Hospital in Covent Garden, a venue as sleek and cool as the programme this year.

The programme is a heady mixture of the finest film from around the world, the multiplex blockbuster mixing with such films as Untold Scandal (Scandal - Joseon namnyeo sangyeoljisa) , a South Korean remake of Dangerous Liaisons and Little Men (Malen'kie ljudi) a black comedy from Kazakstan.

Heading up the documentary section is Morgan Spurlock’s Super Size Me recording his decision to eat nothing but what appears on the menu of a certain fast food chain that shall not be mentioned - and we’re lovin' it. There are over 400 documentaries, feature-length and film shorts, sure to tantilize and titillate the hardest of hardcore cinema-dwellers.

I worked at EIFF in 2003. At an awards ceremony at The Dorchester later in the year, I realised that most of the films nominated that evening had their UK premiere at EIFF, or had featured in the programme. EIFF is an amazing slice of culture with a dedicated, talented and strikingly creative core staff who pull together every year to create this stunning event.

Of course I'm biased, reflecting my own deep love for the EIFF - and the cherished memories I clasp to my heaving bosom of working 18-hour days and dropping a stone in weight. But go along, indulge, relish - and prepare to be haunted, moved, amused; and experience a plethora of human emotions. And I challenge you not to enjoy.

(c) Rachael Booth 2004

Rachael Booth was Press Desk Manager at EIFF 2003

report Thursday 15 July 04 / Hospital

Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2012

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