Breathe In to open Edinburgh Film Festival

European premiere of Drake Doremus' film will kick off 67th edition.

by Amber Wilkinson

Breathe In has been announced as the opening film of the 67th Edinburgh International Film Festival.

Drake Doremus' film, starring Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce and Amy Ryan, which premiered at Sundance, will have its European Premiere on Wednesday June 19 at the Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, with Jones and Doremus in attendance.

As summer turns to fall, music teacher Keith Reynolds (Pearce) privately reminisces about his days as a starving artist in the city. While his wife, Megan (Ryan), and daughter, Lauren (Davis), look forward to Lauren’s final year of high school, Keith clings to those evenings he’s called on to sub as a cellist with a prestigious Manhattan symphony. Megan decides the family should host a foreign exchange student. Sophie (Jones), a British high school senior, settles in comfortably, but soon challenges the family dynamics.

Chris Fujiwara, EIFF Artistic Director, said: "In a healthy year for American cinema, Breathe In is clearly a stand-out. It’s an emotionally powerful, beautifully understated and intelligent work from director-writer Drake Doremus, who reveals tremendous sensitivity, style and skill. He also draws superb performances from Guy Pearce and Felicity Jones. Breathe In is the ideal opening film for our festival this year."

Doremus - whose previous films include Like Crazy - said: "I’m very excited that Breathe In has been selected to play the Edinburgh International Film Festival and to be given the opening night slot is overwhelming. I now look forward to visiting Edinburgh and celebrating not just the event but the Festival’s recognition of a film I am incredibly proud of."

The film will open nationwide on July 19 through Curzon Film World.

Share this with others on...
News

The serpent's call Composer Stephen Lukach on creating tension and awe in Beware Boiúna

Care and community Mike Leigh and the Tender Loving Care cast on humanity and looking out for one another

The aftermath Jorge Thielen Armand on returning to Venezuela to make Death Has No Master

Making magic Gregg Bishop on witches, inspiring actors, instinctive filmmaking and The Heretiks

The road to The Guests Cristina Diz and Stefan Butzmühlen on working together on their latest film

Beyond Saturn Tina Gharavi, Tala Calil and Assaad Bouab on Shadows Of Beirut

Puppy love Brad Pitt on the 'moving' Heart Of The Beast shoot thanks to furry co-star Odin

More news and features

Interact

Don't forget that you can follow us on YouTube for trailers of festival films and more. You can also find us on Mastodon and Bluesky.


It's a busy time for festivals and here's the latest:


San Sebastian Golden night for Tender Loving Care


Toronto La Bola Negra wins People's Choice award


San Sebastian Naomi Watts dedicates Donostia Award to Lynch


San Sebastian Werner Herzog honoured


Dinard Full programme announced


LFF Full programme announced