Free show is for the Faintheart
Shetland Arts is showing an exclusive free screening of the film Faintheart at the Garrison Theatre on Monday before it goes on general release in the UK.
MySpace, Vertigo Films, the UK Film Council and Film4 have announced innovative plans for the release of Faintheart, the first user-generated feature film to be screened in the UK.
The film, which was the closing gala screening at this year’s Edinburgh International Film Festival, will be released simultaneously and free of charge for one day only, in 150 cinemas and online on Tuesday.
Faintheart will then be available to buy on DVD from Monday 2nd February 2009, but in Shetland people can see it first and get into the Up-Helly-A’ spirit.
Set in the world of battle re-enactments, Faintheart charts the epic quest of Viking warrior Readmund the Just, aka Richard the sales assistant (Eddie Marsan), as he attempts to win back the love of his long suffering wife Cath (Jessica Hynes) and son Martin (Joseph Hamilton).
Tired of Richard’s all-consuming obsession with his Iron Age alter ego, Cath kicks him out of their home and into the real world. His honour is put in further peril when Cath begins seeing Martin’s PE teacher Gary.
Realising he must finally face up to the challenges of the present day and fatherly responsibility, Richard enlists the help of best friend and “Trekkie” Julian (Ewen Bremner). Together with Julian and a merry band of assorted geeks known as the “Bloody Broadswords”, Richard must summon all of his Norse courage to discover the real warrior within and prepare for his greatest ever battle.
Eddie Marsan (Hancock, Miami Vice) leads an ensemble cast which includes Ewen Bremner (Trainspotting), Jessica Hynes (Harry Potter & The Order of The Phoenix), Paul Nicholls (Eastenders), Bronagh Gallagher (The Commitments), Tim Healy (Auf Wiedersehen Pet) and Anne Reid (Bleak House).
The movie has been described as “a real feel-good film that will brighten your day without a doubt”.
