The Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) announced today that John Maybury’s Dylan Thomas biopic THE EDGE OF LOVE will be the Opening Gala at this year’s Festival, which will run from 18 – 29 June 2008. The announcement was made today by EIFF’s Artistic Director, Hannah McGill.

THE EDGE OF LOVE stars Academy Award® Nominee Keira Knightley (ATONEMENT, PRIDE & PREJUDICE), BAFTA Nominee Sienna Miller (INTERVIEW, STARDUST) Matthew Rhys (BROTHERS & SISTERS), and Cillian Murphy (THE WIND THAT SHAKES THE BARLEY, BATMAN BEGINS).

Keira Knightley, Sienna Miller, Matthew Rhys and director John Maybury are expected to attend the Premiere in Edinburgh on Wednesday 18 June 2008.

John Maybury (THE JACKET, LOVE IS THE DEVIL) directed romantic drama THE EDGE OF LOVE from a script by Glasgow-born Sharman Macdonald (THE WINTER GUEST). THE EDGE OF LOVE is produced by Rebekah Gilbertson and Sarah Radclyffe, co-produced by Huw Penallt Jones and Bill Godfrey, and executive produced by David Berstein, Linda James, Hannah Leader, Joe Oppenheimer, Tim Smith and David M Thompson.

Two feisty, free-spirited women are connected by the brilliant, charismatic poet Dylan Thomas (Matthew Rhys), who loves them both. The passion and pathos of the legendary poet is told through the lives of these two women. Vera Phillips (Keira Knightley) and Dylan were childhood sweethearts; fast forward ten years, and the two reconnect in wartime London, where she is working as a singer and he is churning out government propaganda scripts in aid of the war effort. The two feel the thunderbolt of their emotions once more - but Thomas is now married to the adventurous Caitlin (Sienna Miller). Despite their rivalry, the women form a surprising friendship.

THE EDGE OF LOVE will be eligible for The Michael Powell Award, which is judged by an international jury recognising the best new British feature film and which carries a substantial cash prize. The film will also be eligible for the PPG Award for Best Performance in a British Film, and the Standard Life Audience Award, which is chosen by audience votes from the Gala and British Gala Section of the EIFF.

Commented McGill: ‘I couldn’t be happier to be opening this most auspicious Festival with this utterly seductive and fascinating film, which stars some of the most charismatic young performers in the business, and affirms John Maybury as one of our most important directors. It's film that I personally adore, and opening with it is the perfect expression of our commitment to intelligent, impassioned, exciting new filmmaking.’

John Maybury, Director of THE EDGE OF LOVE added, “I am thrilled and honoured to have the film at the Edinburgh Film Festival. I have a deep affection for the Festival since they were so good to award LOVE IS THE DEVIL the Michael Powell Award and Derek Jacobi and Daniel Craig, Joint Best Actor Awards ten years ago”.

THE EDGE OF LOVE will open in London on June 20 prior to a nationwide release on June 27 through Lionsgate UK.

Images for THE EDGE OF LOVE can be downloaded at www.edfilmfest.org.uk

EIFF 2008 takes place this year from 18 – 29 June.
The EIFF official 2008 programme will be announced on Wednesday 7 May 2008.