Sam Mendes’ AWAY WE GO to open Edinburgh International Film Festival
Posted by editor@vimooz.com on April 14, 2009 under Edinburgh International Film Festival | 
The Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) announced today that Sam Mendes’ AWAY WE GO will be the Opening Gala at this year’s Festival, from 17 - 28 June 2009. The announcement was made today by EIFF’s Artistic Director, Hannah McGill.
Released in the UK by E1 Entertainment, AWAY WE GO is directed by Academy Award® winner Sam Mendes (AMERICAN BEAUTY, REVOLUTIONARY ROAD), from the first original screenplay by Dave Eggers (A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius) and Vendela Vida (And Now You Can Go). John Krasinski (THE OFFICE - US series) and Maya Rudolph (SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE) star in the film, and the supporting cast includes Jeff Daniels, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Allison Janney. The film’s music is by Scottish composer Alexi Murdoch.
EIFF Artistic Director, Hannah McGill, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to open the Festival with a wonderful film that marks a distinct change of pace for one of Britain’s most celebrated contemporary directors, Sam Mendes. AWAY WE GO is the perfect Opening Night for Edinburgh: funny, positive and smart, and a film I’m incredibly proud to present to our audiences.”
AWAY WE GO director Sam Mendes said: “I’m absolutely thrilled that AWAY WE GO will have its international debut at the Edinburgh Film Festival, and especially pleased to be the Opening Night. I was last in Edinburgh in 1987 at the Fringe, and most nights the cast outnumbered the audience. So I’m really looking forward to returning - hopefully to a full house!”
Sam Mendes and members of the cast are expected to attend the International Premiere at Cineworld Edinburgh on Wednesday 17 June. This is the EIFF’s second year in June, following on from last year’s successful change of dates. AWAY WE GO is eligible for the Standard Life Audience Award which is chosen by audience votes from the Gala and British Gala Section of the EIFF.
AWAY WE GO follows the journey across contemporary America of an expectant couple (John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph), as they travel in search of the perfect place to put down roots and raise their family. Along the way, they have misadventures and find fresh connections with an assortment of relatives and old friends who just might help them discover “home” on their own terms for the first time.
AWAY WE GO is a Focus Features presentation in association with Big Beach of an Edward Saxon/Big Beach production in association with Neal Street Productions.
AWAY WE GO will go on UK nationwide release from 18 September 2009.