Connect (2019 film) explained

Connect
Director:Marilyn Edmond
Producer:Marilyn Edmond
Starring:Kevin Guthrie
Siobhan Reilly
Stephen McCole
Music:Benjamin McMillan
Cinematography:Laura Dinnett
Editing:Sarah Louise Bates
Studio:Angel Face Productions
Runtime:104 minutes
Country:United Kingdom
Language:English

Connect is a Scottish drama film directed by Marilyn Edmond and starring Kevin Guthrie, Siobhan Reilly and Stephen McCole. The film follows the central character of Brian, living in a small town in Scotland, he must overcome his depression and the voice that haunts him daily.

Main cast

Release and reception

Connect is director, Marilyn Edmond's debut film. It premiered at the 2019 Glasgow Film Festival [1] It was also selected to play at The Orlando Film Festival, Film Focus Festival and The Sydney Indie Film Festival where it picked up several nominations (Best Film, Best Drama Film, Best Male lead & Best Female Lead) [2] and saw Marilyn Edmond win Best Director.

The film had a successful local cinema run throughout Scotland with screenings at the Dundee Contemporary Arts Centre, The GFT, Grosvenor Cinema, The Scotsman Picturehouse and more.

Eddie Harrison of Film Authority rated the film with 4 stars stating, “Connect is a simple and effective drama that shines a light on a subject that most films avoid or exploit; hopefully it'll gain a following by offering a fresh take on a universally mis-understood subject that needs tackled today.”[3]

Reviews on The Guardian website were much less favourable.[4]

The film also received positive publicity from publications eager to shine a light on the movies theme of male suicide from newspapers such as The Times.[5]

Kevin Guthrie was interviewed specifically by The National on taking a break from Hollywood movies like Fantastic Beasts and Where To find Them to return to Scotland and film Connect[6]

Marilyn Edmond's debut saw her catapulted onto Bafta's radar where she took part in a career Close-up Q&A Session[7]

Awards

YearAwardsCategoryRecipient(s)Result
2019Sydney Indie Film FestivalBest DirectorMarilyn Edmond
Best Male Lead ActorKevin Guthrie
Best Female Lead ActressSiobhan Reilly
Best FilmMarilyn Edmond
Best Drama FilmMarilyn Edmond

References

  1. Web site: Theatre. Glasgow Film. 2021-03-25. Scotland’s original independent cinema is the. 2021-03-26. Glasgow Film Theatre. en.
  2. Web site: Facebook. 2021-03-26. www.facebook.com.
  3. Web site: 2019-10-16. Connect 2019 ****. 2021-03-26. film-authority.com. en-GB.
  4. Web site: 2019-10-23. Connect review – a GP waiting-room pamphlet brought to life. 2021-04-06. the Guardian. en.
  5. News: Furmage. Gillian. Debut movie sparks a conversation about men’s mental health. en. 2021-03-29. 0140-0460.
  6. Web site: Scots actor on his journey from Hollywood to an indie film on suicide. 2021-04-06. The National. en.
  7. Web site: 2019-11-19. Career Close-Up: A Day in the Director's Life with Marilyn Edmond. 2021-03-29. www.bafta.org. en.

External links