WHO hasn’t wandered through the grand hall of the Kelvingrove and thought “wouldn’t it be great to recreate the classic Indiana Jones-being-chased-by-a-boulder scene here”?
It might sound like something from a movie, but bringing Indy’s stunts to one of Scotland’s most popular attractions has been announced as part of the line-up for the 2016 Glasgow Film Festival (GFF).
GFF 2015 brought in more than 40,000 attendees, making it the third largest film festival in the UK.
As well as classic screenings and pop-up cinemas in venues across Glasgow, it also raked in the premieres – with 11 world, 33 UK and 65 Scottish debut screenings.
Looking to expand on that success, GFF has announced its first few events in an even more ambitious programme for 2016 – with Glasgow’s most iconic concert venue, The Barrowlands, on board to host a world premiere.
IT BELONGS IN A MUSEUM
CO-DIRECTOR for GFF Alison Gardner said the festival has been very lucky to host its events in some great Glasgow buildings.
“We use our city in a very interesting way,” she added.
Already a festival favourite, the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum will host two classic screenings in one night – starting with a 35th anniversary showing of Raiders Of The Lost Ark. Guests will get to see Indy in action, as the man behind Harrison Ford’s stunts, Vic Armstrong, performs a live “adventure presentation”.
Gardner said the kinks are still being worked out for the stunts – health and safety is of course paramount – but fans can rest assured there will be “papier-mâché boulders involved”.
Performing or co-ordinating the stunts in more than 120 major Hollywood movies since 1966, Armstrong is in the Guinness Book of Records for being the most prolific stunt performer in the world.
He has doubled for Ford in all of the Indiana Jones films, as well as Blade Runner and Return Of The Jedi. Meanwhile, he also faced danger for actors including Sean Connery, Christopher Reeve and Roger Moore.
HELLO CLARICE
FOR those who prefer a glass of Chianti to running from falling boulders, the Kelvingrove will also host a late-night, dimly lit 25th anniversary screening of horror classic Silence Of The Lambs.
Based on the Thomas Harris novel of the same name, the 1991 movie introduces the character of Clarice Starling, played by Jodie Foster, to notorious and now imprisoned cannibal, Hannibal Lector, played by Anthony Hopkins.
The film won five academy awards, including best picture, for its depiction of the disturbing and chilling relationship that evolves between the two protagonists.
THE BARRAS
FOR film and music lovers, next year’s festival will combine both passions, transforming the well-worn Barrowlands into a cinema. The historic venue has long been a favourite with both fans and performers, and headliners over the years include Oasis, Simple Minds, Metallica, The Clash, Chvrches and The Smiths.
Partnering with the GFF for the first time, the Barrowlands will host the world premiere of Where You’re Meant To Be.
The documentary film by Paul Fegan follows Aidan Moffat of low-fi miserablists Arab Strap on a trip around Scotland, exploring the country’s past by rewriting its oldest folk songs.
After the screening, a concert will be performed by a number of contemporary and traditional artists featured in the film.
CHECK IGNITION
Another Barrowlands veteran, David Bowie, made his first ever screen performance in the1976 cult classic The Man Who Fell To Earth.
Directed by Nicolas Roeg, the surreal take on the Walter Tevis 1960s novel depicts the struggle of an extraterrestial who crash-lands on Earth while seeking out water for his drought-hit planet.
Forty years on, the film will be shown at the GFF in true Bowie style – on the screen of the Space Zone at the Glasgow Science Centre Planetarium, following a guided tour through the solar system on the 360 degrees dome screen.
AFTER PUNK
MEANWHILE, returning to the Tramway venue after a four-year absence, GFF will partner with LUX and the BFI National Archive to screen This Is Now: Film And Video After Punk (1978-85).
Touring the UK with funds from the National Lottery, the picture is a series of digitally remastered archive films by artists including John Maybury, Grayson Perry, Cordelia Swann and Jill Westwood – many of which have been out of circulation for decades.
The exhibition will be followed by a celebration of punk and new wave, with musicians and DJs including Optimo’s JD Twitch.
WHEN AND WHERE?
Where You’re Meant To Be world premiere and concert The Barrowland Ballroom February 19 (doors 19:30, presentation starts 20:00) All tickets £15
Raiders Of The Lost Ark, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, February 20 (doors 18:30, introduction 19:15, film 19:30)
Silence Of The Lambs, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, February 20 (doors 22:30, film 23:00)
The Man Who Fell To Earth, The Planetarium at Glasgow Science Centre, February 23 (Doors 18:30, screenings 19:00)
This Is Now: Film And Video After Punk (1978-85) Exhibition, screening and performance Tramway Exhibition February 25-27, live presentation February 26.
The 12th annual GFF will run from February 17-28, with ticket sales for its special events starting noon Thursday December 17.
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