Nina Conti’s directorial debut feature film Sunlight will have its world premiere at this year’s relaunched Edinburgh International Film Festival, it has been announced.
Set in New Mexico, the film is described as a ‘darkly comedic, subversive and uniquely realised road trip film’ about a monkey, a misfit radio host and a dead man’s watch.
The film co-stars and was co-written with Shenoah Allen, of the Pyjama Men comedy duo, and is executive produced by This Is Spinal Tap creator Christopher Guest.
Set in Allen’s home town of Albuquerque, New Mexico, the plot has been inspired by Conti’s work with her Monkey puppet. She plays Jane, who creates a new persona when she disappears into a monkey costume. She strives to break free from a toxic relationship when she encounters a suicidal radio show host, Roy (Allen), who ‘presents a path to freedom’.
The film’s soundtrack features music from Radiohead, Pixies and Aphex Twin.
The premiere will take place on Saturday August 17 at The Cameo Cinema followed by further screenings across the festival.
Conti said: ‘I couldn’t be happier that the film’s world premiere will take place in the city that has most nurtured my comedy career from day one. I’m very excited to share it with audiences, it is my proudest work.’
Conti will also be performing her new live show Whose Face Is It Anyway? at Pleasance Grand throughout the duration of the film.
Last night, Chortle reported how the Aisling Bea film And Mrs was also getting its world premiere at the Edinburgh International Film Festival, as is The Radleys, a dark comedy about a suppressed family of vampires, adapted from Matt Haig’s novel by of the same name by Jo Brand and writer Talitha Stevenson.
• The Edinburgh International Film Festival website is here.
