To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Edinburgh International and Fringe Festivals this year, we’re announcing a very exciting new exhibition on Capital Collections of archive festival film footage. The archive footage belongs to the BBC and is available to view on Capital Collections for a limited time only.
Image taken from archival film footage, reproduced by permission of BBC
The film clips show a 1960s Edinburgh in black and white, but alive with activity and excitement for festival shows and performers. View the hustle and bustle of festival preparations, residents and tourists, and famous faces including Marlene Dietrich arriving at Edinburgh Airport, Tom Courtenay performing Hamlet and Yehudi Menuhin receiving the freedom of Edinburgh.
Commentators reflect on the effects the festival’s first twenty years have had on the city and its citizens, its “cosmopolitanisation” and its new-found “creature comforts”, claiming a new status for Edinburgh as one of Europe’s cultural capitals.
This online exhibition of short film clips will be available to view until the end of August 2022 on Capital Collections. In true Festival spirit, catch it while you can!
This exhibition is part of a wider project in collaboration with the British Library and the Living Knowledge Network of libraries on the theme of Breaking the News. We’re grateful to the BBC for supporting the project and allowing us to host the film footage on Capital Collections.
This time the Music Library highlight treasures from their bottom drawers. These mostly contain box sets or DVDs.
We are going to look at a few of our DVDs. Whilst you may think that everything you can think of, you can watch on some streaming or video platform there are still many musical recording gems to be found in our Music Library drawers. Not everyone can watch DVDs; not everyone has a player or a computer or laptop with a DVD drawer, but whilst these things still exist for some, let us highlight some of the delights of our drawers. Not just our drawers, we also have a fine collection of operas, dance, pop and film on DVD, displayed in our department. Some of these DVDs will be available on our streaming site Medici TV, but a lot are not, which is why picking up the DVD at the library is still an option.
Douglas from the Music Library has chosen 8 DVDs from our drawers to highlight.
Leonard Bernstein Omnibus 4 DVD set Firstly, Leonard Bernstein is renowned as a composer, conductor, pianist, and for some for his Norton Harvard Lectures and this set of documentary/lectures made for the three American broadcasters of the time CBS, NBC and ABC. They stand as great acts of demystification, not dumbing down or bedazzling, just a great communicator doing what he perhaps did best, sharing his beloved subject, on this occasion through the spoken word, with the world. Borrow Leonard Bernstein Omnibus 4 DVD set
Quincy Jones Live in 1960 This DVD is from a time in which Quincy Jones was almost stuck in Europe. Quincy and his 18-piece dream band had gone to Europe where they had enjoyed great critical success. The band and Quincy were later to admit that although that was true, great critical success was not matched by any financial success. They all lived there for some time making recordings for French, Belgium and Swiss TV. Here are performances from Belgium and Switzerland with a band that contained the great Jazz French Hornist Julius Watkins, and the Trombone player Melba Liston, one of a very few female Jazz Trombonists to gain any fame at that time. Borrow Quincy Jones Live in 1960
Glenn Gould: a film by Bruno Monsaingeon The Film maker, Monsaingeon, says in his sleeve notes that Glenn Gould is much more than one of the greatest pianists of all time. In this, almost 2 hour documentary, he attempts to show us why he believes this. Gould is mentioned mostly for his famous/infamous recordings of the Goldberg Variations which is, in equal measures, lauded and laughed at, for his humming whilst he plays. Borrow Glen Gould – Hereafter
Lomax – the songhunter – a film by Rogier Kappers Kappers visits and revisits the frail and ill Alan Lomax in this documentary, made one year before Lomax’s death and when unable to communicate due to a brain haemorrhage. Famously Lomax was a collector of folk songs and traditions from round the world. Lomax, benignly enjoys the journeys of the filmmaker, Kappers, as he retraces Lomax’s steps. Borrow Lomax – the songhunter
Elisabeth Schwarzkopf Soprano This DVD presents programmes of Songs and Arias recorded at various times over a ten-year period in 1960/70, This is interesting for several reasons. Schwarzkopf is one of the few castaways on Desert Island Discs to choose entirely her own recordings. All seven of her choices by herself. On two of the sessions featured on this DVD she is accompanied by the wonderful pianist, Gerald Moore, whose autobiography “Am I To Loud?” is one of the most interesting musical autobiographies I have read. Perhaps not famous for her work with more modern composers, one of the songs featured is by composer Gian Carlo Menotti. Menotti is best known as the composer of Amahl and the Night Visitors, the first opera written for television. Borrow Elisabeth Schwarzkopf classic archive
Mr McFalls Chamber – Live from the Queen’s Hall Mr McFalls Chamber was formed by musicians from the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and the Scottish Ballet Orchestra to, in their words, create new audiences, new music and new directions in music. Featuring in their programmes are any type and genre of music from Prog-Rock to Renaissance music, and everything you can imagine in between. Borrow Mr McFalls Chamber – Live from the Queen’s Hall
Jiri Kylian’s Car Men Choreographer Jiri Kylian and director Boris Pavel Conen created this work based on the opera, Carmen, entirely on location. They used Bizet’s original score and integrated original music. Four dancers tell the story of Carmen, the infatuated Don Jose, the womaniser Escimillo and the kind-hearted Micaela. Borrow Jiri Kylian’s Car Men
Aiyun Huang and friends – Save Percussion Theatre I know nothing of this group, or the players and music featured in this DVD. If it is on loan when you come into the Library check with me as I may well have it on my ticket. Aiyun Huang’s unique recital, “Save Percussion Theatre,” is a video-recording of theatre music for percussion dedicated to the pioneering work of the Parisian group “Trio Le Cercle,” for whom many of these works are written and by whom they have been championed. Borrow Aiyun Huang and friends – Save Percussion Theatre
Our music video streaming site, Medici TVhas a wealth of concerts, operas, ballets, music documentaries and masterclasses. If, as U2 say, “you still haven’t found what you’ve been looking for”, then take a look at our DVD collection, dust of your player and relax for a few hours with your chosen moment.
When we put out a call for contributions to our coronavirus scrapbook on Edinburgh Collected, we were contacted by Jim Sheach, who had been making short films as he cycled around Edinburgh capturing the atmosphere of the city during lockdown.
A film grab from Edinburgh Princes Street, 1 June 2020, deserted
He’s kindly contributed them to Capital Collections so that we could use them to create an online exhibition. As life returns to something more like normal already these scenes, from only a few weeks ago, seem extraordinarily quiet and alien.
Jim’s short films covering a wide geographical area of the city will be a valuable historic record in years to come and we’re tremendously grateful to him for getting in touch and sharing them with us. View the full collection of short films in our Capital Collections exhibition.
You can view pictures and memories from our coronavirus collecting project on the Edinburgh Collected website, where we still welcome your contributions recording this unusual summer in Edinburgh.
Join WHALE Arts and Tower Block UK at Wester Hailes Library on Tuesday 18th September for an evening filled with film and conversation about high-rise and new town living.
The evening begins with an excerpt from 2017 documentary feature film New Town Utopia, exploring life in the new town of Basildon in Essex as told by local artists and residents. After a short break for tea and coffee there will be screenings of several short films taken from the WHALE Arts VHS archive, representing life in Wester Hailes as told by local residents, actors, and filmmakers.
The event will be chaired by film curator Shona Thomson and after each screening we’ll have an informal discussion about the films, together with an opportunity for sharing memories and stories of living in Wester Hailes.
Throughout the evening, there will also be a chance to explore a new pop-up exhibition by Tower Block UK, complete with a travelling museum box containing maps, photographs, slides, and newspaper articles focusing upon Wester Hailes.
This event will launch the Changing Perspectives: Wester Hailes Film and Moving Image Festival – look out for a full programme of events across 15-21st October.
All are welcome to join us for this event which will run from 6-8pm on the 18th September. Reserve free tickets on EventBrite (though people can also just come along on the day).
Edinburgh City Libraries has an exciting programme on offer for Dyslexia Awareness Week, 6-11 November 2017.
Central Library will have a one-off showing of the Film ‘Read Me Differently:understanding learning disabilities in family life ’ by Sarah Entine on 8 November.
Stockbridge Library will host an event on 9 November Can’t read won’t read…does this sound familiar? Where experts will be on hand to give advice on choosing dyslexia friendly books for kids and teens. Also on 9 November come along and join us for a special event for Dyslexia Awareness Week, Positive about dyslexia. The MC is Paul McNeill, Dyslexia Scotland Ambassador and Regional Head for the Scottish Football Association who will introduce author Margaret Rooke talking about her new book ‘Dyslexia is My Superpower (Most of the Time)’ and musician and songwriter Adam Strachan. Dyslexia Scotland will also be launching the new ‘Dyslexia Unwrapped’ website for young people with dyslexia at the event.
There will also be events for schools taking place during the week.
We’ve very pleased to announce the programme for this year’s Harpies, Fechters and Quines Festival, organised in partnership with the Glasgow Women’s Library and the Edinburgh Womens’ Group Bonnie Fechters.
This year the focus is on women and film – Reel Women – and includes many free film screenings. Come along and meet like-minded folk, learn something new or just sit back and enjoy.
Black Star Film Season is a celebration of the range and versatility of black actors on film taking place at Craigmillar Library.
The season runs until 22 May and opens with two special launch events funded by BFI Blackstar. These curated free screenings will encompass different genres, decades and styles for all audiences. Black and white.
On Monday 27 February there’s the Spike Lee film Do The Right Thing (18). There will be music and food from 5.30pm and the film’s running time is 6 – 8.10pm. Doors open at 5.15pm.
On Monday 10 April you can watch the British Sci-fi film Attack The Block (15). Film runs from 6 – 7.30pm. Doors open at 5.15pm.
For the younger ones, come along on Monday 24 April and watch the animated Disney film The Princess & The Frog (U). Film runs from 3 – 4.40pm. Doors open at 2.30pm.
There’s a throwback to the 70s on Monday 8 May when Car Wash (PG) will be showing. Film runs from 6 – 7.40pm. Doors open at 5.30pm.
And finally ending with The Greatest on Monday 22 May Ali {15) starring Will Smith. Film runs from 5 – 7.45pm. Doors open at 4.30pm.
Announcing a really special event for young people! To mark the relaunch of the #artcore young writers’ group, they are holding a special event: a free, open screenwriting workshop with Marc Pye. Marc has many years’ experience in writing for film and TV – amongst his television credits are EastEnders, Holby City,Hollyoaks, The Bill, Waterloo Road, Holby Blue, Doctors and River City.
Marc is coming to Portobello Library on Tuesday 27th September to deliver a workshop where he’ll be explaining what makes great writing for the screen – letting you see what a script looks like, and giving top tips on how to write one.
This workshop is open to absolutely anyone between the ages of 13 and 25. You don’t need to have attended #artcore before, and yep – you don’t even need to have done any writing beforehand! Whether you’ve always fancied the idea of writing a script but never tried, or whether you’ve got a box of finished scripts waiting under the bed… this workshop is for you.
Want to take part then go to Portobello Library at 6pm on Tuesday 27th September (the workshop will run until 7.30pm).
Yesterday, the ongoing saga of the mystery sculptor reached new heights of speculation when none other than our own former music librarian, Garry Gale, told the Evening news that he had worked out the identity of the artist! Garry solved the mystery because he owns an early work but did not out the artist, stating that he did not want to blow the artist’s cover. Read all about it here, and let us know whether you think the identity of the artist should be revealed, or if you think it’s more fun not to know.
Additionally, our inspiring country is currently playing host to Halle Berry and Tom Hanks, as they shoot the hotly anticipated screen adaptation of David Mitchell’s “Cloud Atlas“! The cast and crew have been spotted in the old town today, and will be filming more over the next week. Tom braved our shores before to make “The Da Vinci Code”, but poor Halle has been looking decidedly chilly in the press shots! Read all about it here, and keep your eyes peeled – you might see some genuine A-listers when you pop out for your lunch!
The film adaptation of David Nicholls’ beloved “One Day” opened in cinemas this weekend. Did Anne Hathaway get away with an English accent? Have you read the book already? If not, borrow it here! If you have read it, why not try one of David’s other marvellous books?
If you’ve caught the film already, please do let us know what you thought of it!
There are a great many elements essential to the success of a popular film … script, direction, acting, visuals and, not least, the soundtrack.
Who can forget the memorable scene from 2001 with giant space ships looming into view accompanied by the Blue Danube waltz? The brutal shower scene from Psycho is made all the more horrifying because of the effect created by Bernard Hermann’s screaming violins. One of the most distinctive features of Serge Leone’s spaghetti westerns is the wonderful music composed by Ennio Morricone.
We had a fantastic response to our Filmfest competition, congratulations to our winner Marine Picard who wins two tickets for tonight’s screening of Sylvain Chomet’s “The Illusionist”. Thanks to all who entered – here are the answers:
1) Doctor Zhivago was premiered in Edinburgh in 1965. Who wrote the novel? Boris Pasternak
2) Edith Wharton’s ‘House of Mirth’, premiered in 2000, was filmed on location in which East Lothian mansion? Gosford House
3) Which Edinburgh author wrote the ‘the Acid House’, premiered in 1998? Irvine Welsh
4) ‘The Motorcycle Diaries’, premiered in 2004, was written by which Argentinean author? Ernesto “Che” Guevara
5) A biopic called ‘The Edge of Love’, premiered in 2008, featured the life of a well-known poet: can you name him? Dylan Thomas
6) Which short story by Leo Tolstoy was the subject of a film which premiered in 2008? The Kreutzer Sonata
7) ‘Hallam Foe’ by Peter Jinks, premiered in 2007, was filmed on location in which Edinburgh hotel? Some confusion over this: Both The Balmoral and The Caledonian Hotels were used as locations but the Balmoral is the location for both book and film! Both answers were permitted.
8 Pat Barker’s trilogy of books was filmed and premiered in 1997 in Edinburgh; can you name the title of this trilogy? Regeneration
9) Which famous horror story, written in 1818, was retrospectively filmed and premiered in 1991? Frankenstein
10) Two novels by Thomas Hardy were filmed and premiered in Edinburgh 1980 and 1996. Can you name one of them? Tess of the d’Urbervilles or Jude the Obscure
11) An early film premiered in Edinburgh 1958 featured an ‘Old man and the Sea’. Who wrote the book? Ernest Hemingway
12) Which of Shakespeare’s plays was retrospectively premiered in 1989 during the Edinburgh International Film Festival? Henry V
13) ‘Fear and Loathing….’ was premiered in 1998; in which American City? Las Vegas
14) Which story by Alberto Moravia premiered as a film in 1971? Il Conformista/The Conformist
Join WHALE Arts and Tower Block UK at 
Announcing a really special event for young people! To mark the relaunch of the #artcore young writers’ group, they are holding a special event: a free, open screenwriting workshop with Marc Pye. Marc has many years’ experience in writing for film and TV – amongst his television credits are EastEnders, Holby City, Hollyoaks, The Bill, Waterloo Road, Holby Blue, Doctors and River City.
Marc is coming to Portobello Library on Tuesday 27th September to deliver a workshop where he’ll be explaining what makes great writing for the screen – letting you see what a script looks like, and giving top tips on how to write one.
Tales of One City 