Edinburgh wraps: fest closing awards and party

Weather-wise, Edinburgh is a far cry from Malaga. But the sun did appear, albeit briefly, for yesterday’s Closing Night red carpet for the premiere of The Business, which is set in southern Spain.

Director Nick Love arrived at "The Business" closing film of the 59th Edinburgh Film Festival with cast members Danny Dyer, Georgina Chapman, Tamer Hassan, Geoff Bell, Adam Bolton and Eddie Weber. And although the gentlemen all looked quite sharp, Chapman, a vision in pink silk, clearly stole the show.
The biggest award winner of the day was clearly Tsotsi, the South African gang drama, which walked away with both the Standard Life Audience Award, and The Michael Powell Award for Best New British Feature Film.

After the screening, The Business cast and EIFF guests made their way to Charlie’s Bar, formerly the Waikiki Beach club, which for one night only was reinvented as a rockin’ ‘80’s disco. (A word of explanation for those who haven’t yet seen The Business: Charlie’s Bar is the glitzy Malaga establishment owned by Charlie, Tamer Hassan’s character.) In keeping with the time period of the film, everyone came attired in their best ‘80’s fashion— although there was a merciful lack of shoulder pads and big hair.

Actors and directors from many of the Festival’s films were seen mingling and dancing— after all how can anyone resist working the dance floor to infectious classics like Heart of Glass, and Video Killed the Radio Star?


“I love the Festival, it’s been great. A film like mine needs a champion, and Edinburgh has done that for us… Shane and everyone have been wonderful,” said Song of Songs director Josh Appignanesi, who attended the party.

The end of the Festival always brings mixed emotions— elation, relief and a tinge of sadness that it’s over for another year. And although the 60th edition of the Festival seems far away now, it will be here before you know it…

Andi Argast