Latest news with #RealityIsNotEnough
STV News
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- STV News
Men in Love: Irvine Welsh releases new Trainspotting sequel
Irvine Welsh has released a direct sequel to Trainspotting, more than 30 years after the cult novel's publication. Men in Love, released on Thursday, sees the return of beloved characters Renton, Sick Boy, Spud, and Begbie. Irvine's fifth Trainspotting spin-off displaces 2002's Porno as the original's most direct sequel, and follows the misfit Leith crew as they attempt to replace drug addiction with 'love and romance' while they experience the heyday of rave culture in the late 80s and early 90s. The original novel quickly became a cult classic, and made a hugely successful transition from page to screen thanks to director Danny Boyle and up-and-coming actor Ewan McGregor, with a sequel released in 2017 reuniting most of the original cast. Men in Love will open in the late 80s, 'at the end of punk and just before acid house'. Getty Images The book's description reads: 'It is the late 1980s, the closing years of Thatcher's Britain. For the Trainspotting crew, a new era is about to begin – a time for hope, for love, for raving. 'Leaving heroin behind and separated after a drug deal gone wrong, Renton, Sick Boy, Spud and Begbie each want to feel alive. They fill their days with sex and romance and trying to get ahead; they follow the call of the dance floor, with its promise of joy and redemption. 'Sick Boy starts an intense relationship with Amanda, his 'princess' – rich, connected, everything that he is not. When the pair set a date for their wedding, Sick Boy sees a chance for his generation to take control at last. But as the 1990s dawn, will finding love be the answer to the group's dreams or just another doomed quest? 'Irvine Welsh's sequel to his iconic bestseller Trainspotting tells a story of riotous adventures, wild new passions, and young men determined to get the most out of life.' The release comes ahead of a documentary of Welsh's life, which will close the Edinburgh International Film Festival on August 20. Reality Is Not Enough will follow the best-selling author at a 'crossroads' in life where he is 'acutely aware of his mortality and accepting that his hedonistic days are drawing to a close'. It is also said to explore the 'inner and outer life' of the writer, who was propelled to fame with his debut novel focusing on heroin addicts in Leith in 1993. From director Paul Sng, the documentary, which was previously titled I Am Irvine Welsh, has been described as a 'captivating piece of autobiographical filmmaking'. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
The Herald Scotland
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
10 Edinburgh International Film Festival line-up highlights
Some of Scotland's newest filmmaking talent will be showcased alongside some of the screen industry's leading figures across seven days in August. Read more: The event, led for a second year by director Paul Ridd and producer Emma Boa, will return to the recently-reopened Filmhouse for the first time in three years and expand to the Scottish National Gallery for the first time as part of a drive to attract new audiences. Here are just a few of the highlights of the programme which will unfold from August 14-20. Reality Is Not Enough: An "intimate and personal" documentary following the best-selling Edinburgh author Irvine Welsh will get its world premiere on the final night of the festival. Screen stars Liam Neeson, Ruth Negga, Stephen Graham and Maxine Peake will all read from Welsh's novels in director Paul Sng's film, which is said to reveal the writer's to reveal the 'inner world and outer life." New made-in-Scotland fantasy Grow is set in a self-proclaimed 'pumpkin capital of the world.' (Image: Supplied) Grow: Scottish filmmaker John McPhail, director of zombie musical Anna and the Apocalypse, assembled a star-studded cast for a fantasy set in the self-proclaimed pumpkin capital of the world. Golda Roshuevel, Nick Frost, Jeremy Swift, Alan Carr, Jane Horrocks, Tim McInnnery, Alan Carr, Sharon Rooney and Sanjeev Kohli all appear in the tale - shot entirely in Scotland - of a curmudgeonly farmer who takes in an unloved niece after discovering her in an orphanage. The Golden Spurtle: The annual world championship porridge-making contest in the Highland village of Carrbridge comes under the spotlight in Constantine Costi's documentary. The film, which captures the run-up to the final competition organised by long-time figurehead Charlie Miller, is said to offer 'a window into a uniquely competitive world.' The Golden Spurtle goes behind the scenes at the annual porridge-making contest staged in the Highland village of Carrbridge. (Image: Supplied) About a Hero: Artificial intelligence and the work of German filmmaker Werner Herzog are brought together in a documentary feature in an 'absurd deepfake universe,' based on a script generated by AI from his body of work. Piotr Winiewicz's film is billed as 'an eerie, fascinating exploration of the evolving nature of artificial intelligence.' The Toxic Avenger: The festival's 'Midnight Madness' strand will be brought to a case with a long-awaited remake of the first instalment of the superhero comedy franchise. Peter Dinklage, Jacob Tremblay, Taylour Paige, Kevin Bacon and Elijah Wood star in Macon Blair's feature, described as 'staggeringly violent and darkly humorous' by the festival. The Toxic Avenger will be screened at the Edinburgh International Film Festival. (Image: Supplied) Dragonfly: Academy Award nominees Brenda Blethyn and Andrea Riseborough star in a story of two neighbours who forge an unlikely friendship. The younger woman takes it upon herself to care for her neighbour, but as suspicions over her intentions grow, a shock act triggers a violent chain reaction. Andrea Riseborough and Brenda Blethyn star in the new suburban thriller Dragonfly. (Image: Supplied) Sean Connery Talent Lab: Six 'calling cards' from new Scottish filmmaking talent feature in the first showcase for a new venture launched last year by the Sean Connery Foundation and the National Film and Television School. Their short films focus on a young boy beginning to unearth a secret family trauma, an amateur basketball player under mounting pressure, a young woman who stands up to her employer at a grand ceilidh, the impact of addiction, a doctor forced to choose between medical protocol and her humanity, and a supermarket bargain hunt which turns deadly. Sacred Bonds: The six classic James Bond films Sir Sean Connery starred in between 1962 and 1971 will get rare cinema screenings at the festival was a long-time patron of, at the recently-reopened Filmhouse, close to his Fountainbridge birthplace. Members of the Edinburgh-born actor's family will introduce Dr. No, From Russia With Love, Goldfinger, Thunderball, You Only Live Twice and Diamonds are Forever. Andrea Arnold in conversation: The BAFTA-winning British writer and director will be at the festival to discuss a career which began as a TV dancer and presenter, before she began making short films in the late 1990s. She is best known for her features Fish Tank, American Honey, Bird and Red Road, her Glasgow-set debut starring Kate Dickie and Tony Curran, which will be screened at the festival. Kevin Macdonald and Andrew Macdonald in conversation: The two brothers have been two of the leading filmmakers of recent decades. Kevin's credits as director include the TV thriller State of Play, the feature films The Last King of Scotland and The Mauritanian, and the documentaries Whitney, Touching the Void and One Day in September. Andrew is best known as a producer of Trainspotting, Shallow Grave, Sunshine on Leith, 28 Days Later and The Beach.
BreakingNews.ie
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BreakingNews.ie
Irvine Welsh documentary to close Edinburgh International Film Festival
Organisers of the Edinburgh International Film Festival have announced a documentary about Irvine Welsh will be screened on the final night. The festival runs from August 14th to 20th, closing with the world premiere of Paul Sng's immersive documentary Reality Is Not Enough. Advertisement The documentary is said to be a thrilling and revealing exploration of Trainspotting author Welsh, following his huge success with several film adaptations and six million books sold worldwide, and his awareness of mortality. It sees Welsh, who stars in the film, take a wild journey that explores the boundaries of consciousness. BIG ANNOUNCEMENT 📢 #EIFF25 will close with the World Premiere of documentary 'Reality Is Not Enough.' Director Paul Sng follows one of the most controversial writers of our times, Trainspotting author Irvine Welsh, as he explores the boundaries of consciousness. — Edinburgh International Film Festival (@edfilmfest) May 30, 2025 The autobiographical film combines intimate observational footage, rare archive film clips and readings from his novels narrated by screen stars Liam Neeson, Maxine Peake, Ruth Negga and Stephen Graham, and musician Nick Cave. Reality Is Not Enough was co-financed and produced by Edinburgh-based production company LS Films, with the support of Screen Scotland and with Sarah Drummond as executive producer. Advertisement Paul Ridd, chief executive and director of the film festival, said 'We were so impressed by this brilliantly immersive and fascinating documentary about iconic Scottish writer Irvine Welsh. 'Director Paul Sng's refreshingly unusual and highly cinematic approach perfectly fits his subject – a man who has spent an entire career refusing to be pinned down, always surprising us with works of profound impact, rawness and grace. 'We could not think of a better way to round off our festival than with this terrific film.' Irvine Welsh on the set of the film Trainspotting 2 in Edinburgh in 2016 (Andrew Milligan/PA) Sng said: 'I'm completely delighted that Reality Is Not Enough has been chosen to close this year's Edinburgh International Film Festival. Advertisement 'When I read Trainspotting as a teenager in London back in the 90s, I had no idea I would one day live in the city where the book is set, let alone make a film with its author Irvine Welsh. 'Having our world premiere in our home city is a huge honour and we're looking forward immensely to sharing the film with the EIFF audience.' Drummond said: 'I grew up in north Edinburgh during the era that shaped so much of Irvine's writing, so helping bring this intimate portrait of the man behind the books to the screen has been something truly special. 'Reality Is Not Enough is raw and unexpectedly tender, and it's been a privilege to make it here in the city that connects us both.' Advertisement
Wales Online
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Irvine Welsh documentary to close Edinburgh International Film Festival
Irvine Welsh documentary to close Edinburgh International Film Festival The festival runs from August 14 to 20 Irvine Welsh on the set of the film Trainspotting 2 in Edinburgh in 2016 (Image: PA Archive/PA Images ) Organisers of the Edinburgh International Film Festival have announced a documentary about Irvine Welsh will be screened on the final night. The festival runs from August 14 to 20, closing with the world premiere of Paul Sng's immersive documentary Reality Is Not Enough. The documentary is said to be a thrilling and revealing exploration of Trainspotting author Welsh, following his huge success with several film adaptations and six million books sold worldwide, and his awareness of mortality. It sees Welsh, who stars in the film, take a wild journey that explores the boundaries of consciousness. The autobiographical film combines intimate observational footage, rare archive film clips and readings from his novels narrated by screen stars Liam Neeson, Maxine Peake, Ruth Negga and Stephen Graham, and musician Nick Cave. Reality Is Not Enough was co-financed and produced by Edinburgh-based production company LS Films, with the support of Screen Scotland and with Sarah Drummond as executive producer. Paul Ridd, chief executive and director of the film festival, said: "We were so impressed by this brilliantly immersive and fascinating documentary about iconic Scottish writer Irvine Welsh. "Director Paul Sng's refreshingly unusual and highly cinematic approach perfectly fits his subject – a man who has spent an entire career refusing to be pinned down, always surprising us with works of profound impact, rawness and grace. "We could not think of a better way to round off our festival than with this terrific film." Sng said: "I'm completely delighted that Reality Is Not Enough has been chosen to close this year's Edinburgh International Film Festival. "When I read Trainspotting as a teenager in London back in the 90s, I had no idea I would one day live in the city where the book is set, let alone make a film with its author Irvine Welsh. "Having our world premiere in our home city is a huge honour and we're looking forward immensely to sharing the film with the EIFF audience." Drummond said: "I grew up in north Edinburgh during the era that shaped so much of Irvine's writing, so helping bring this intimate portrait of the man behind the books to the screen has been something truly special. Article continues below "Reality Is Not Enough is raw and unexpectedly tender, and it's been a privilege to make it here in the city that connects us both."
The Independent
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Irvine Welsh documentary to close Edinburgh International Film Festival
Organisers of the Edinburgh International Film Festival have announced a documentary about Irvine Welsh will be screened on the final night. The festival runs from August 14 to 20, closing with the world premiere of Paul Sng's immersive documentary Reality Is Not Enough. The documentary is said to be a thrilling and revealing exploration of Trainspotting author Welsh, following his huge success with several film adaptations and six million books sold worldwide, and his awareness of mortality. It sees Welsh, who stars in the film, take a wild journey that explores the boundaries of consciousness. The autobiographical film combines intimate observational footage, rare archive film clips and readings from his novels narrated by screen stars Liam Neeson, Maxine Peake, Ruth Negga and Stephen Graham, and musician Nick Cave. Reality Is Not Enough was co-financed and produced by Edinburgh-based production company LS Films, with the support of Screen Scotland and with Sarah Drummond as executive producer. Paul Ridd, chief executive and director of the film festival, said 'We were so impressed by this brilliantly immersive and fascinating documentary about iconic Scottish writer Irvine Welsh. 'Director Paul Sng's refreshingly unusual and highly cinematic approach perfectly fits his subject – a man who has spent an entire career refusing to be pinned down, always surprising us with works of profound impact, rawness and grace. 'We could not think of a better way to round off our festival than with this terrific film.' Sng said: 'I'm completely delighted that Reality Is Not Enough has been chosen to close this year's Edinburgh International Film Festival. 'When I read Trainspotting as a teenager in London back in the 90s, I had no idea I would one day live in the city where the book is set, let alone make a film with its author Irvine Welsh. 'Having our world premiere in our home city is a huge honour and we're looking forward immensely to sharing the film with the EIFF audience.' Drummond said: 'I grew up in north Edinburgh during the era that shaped so much of Irvine's writing, so helping bring this intimate portrait of the man behind the books to the screen has been something truly special. 'Reality Is Not Enough is raw and unexpectedly tender, and it's been a privilege to make it here in the city that connects us both.'
