'Renton squares uptoGregory
Trainspotting and Gregory’s Girl lead the field in voting for best Scottish film
noose life,‘ urges a heroin- ‘ i. ‘ H H a l
fuelled Benton, Ewan ' "
McGregor‘s iconic anti- hero of Trainspotting. But many who have seen Renton's snarling paean to nihilism are choosing Trainspotting itself, as voting hots up in the quest for the best Scottish film of all time.
The movie that catapulted McGregor into the Hollywood big time and confirmed Robert Carlyle as the world‘s most gifted nasty boy is just ahead of Gregory‘s Girl, with a few votes separating the two films.
John Gordon Sinclair's finest moment may have been in a role much less hip than his Trainspotting counterparts, but the impact of Gregory's Girl on Scottish film-going audiences was almost as powerful. Back in 1981, the gawky Cumbernauld teenager heralded a growing realisation that Scotland could produce memorable movies. and even that everyday Scottish experiences could provide the setting for them.
Since The List's list of the 50 best Scottish films was published two weeks ago. voting has been brisk and a number of films are in the running for the top spot. Also featuring strongly are Local Hero. American Cousins. Restless Natives and Four Eyes.
Movie list kickstarts debate
Selection of best films gets bouquets — and a few brickbats
he List's choice of the top Scottish films of all time was welcomed last week. I as a host of Scotland's filmmaking luwies gathered at a launch party for the
Orange-sponsored project. But some pomted out films they felt had been overlooked. Film producer Penny Thomson, a former director of the Edinburgh International Film Festival. argued this week (see Letters. page 2) that ‘to leave out Seawards the Great Ships is Silly. and to ignore Venus Peter reveals a strange sensibility’. Venus Peter (1989), directed by Ian Sellar and produced by Christopher Young, tells the stOry of children growing up in the Orkneys. featuring accomplished performances by Ray McAnally and Sinead Cusack.
But most were content to choose the best Scottish film from within the 50 films selected by The List. Novelist Ian Rankin's favourite is Gregory’s Girl. ‘It had an effect on me when I saw it as a teenager because it was about ordinary peOple. not Highlanders dressed in kilts running up the mountains.’ he said last week.
Voting closes on 9 February. 2004.
The latest voting in full: 1 . Trainspotting
2. Gregory’s Girl
3. Restless Natives
4. Four Eyes
5. Local Hero
6. American Cousins
7. Whisky Galore
8. The Wicker Man
9. Shallow Grave
10. I Know Where I’m Going
Young Adam, Breaking the Waves and / Know Where I'm Going are among five great movies which feature in a special season to mark the 50 Best Scottish Films of All Time. Also included are classics such as Cu/loden. Wickerman and the Bill Douglas Trilogy. The List/Orange Scottish Film Season runs at GET in Glasgow. and the Filmhouse in Edinburgh from 1—5 February 2004.
To vote for your favourite Scottish film, text 82888, with the word VOTE before the name of the movie.
‘ , ' To order a FREE copy of the 50 Best Scottish . " ' Films of All Time - log onto www.list.co.uk
By texting the word VOTE and the name of your favourite Scottish film to 82888, you will be
entered in a competition to win big prizes including ST a VIP weekend to London!
mm mm Texts charged at your network rate. Terms & Conditions apply.
1 1 Dec 2003—8 Jan 2004 THE LIST 7