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| | |  Friday, September 3, 1999 Published at 17:11 GMT 18:11 UK
Edinburgh's Film Festival has a reputation for showcasing some of cinema's biggest box office hits of recent times and this year it looks set to follow the trend. We bring you a selection of scenes from some of this year's best features. Dad-to-be comic stays mum Perrier hopeful Al Murray will have another reason to celebrate this week when his wife gives birth to their first child. Stars in their eyes It's all about art, but money and power still play a part at the Edinburgh Festival. The winner takes it all Steve Coogan and Jenny Eclair tell BBC News Online how winning the coveted Perrier award at the Edinburgh Fringe has affected their comedy careers. Painful performances Putting on a show about oppression and injustice poses a tough challenge for performer and audience alike, but that has not deterred two solo acts - and the results are startling. Barred comic makes Perrier fizz A comedian who was temporarily banned from the Perrier prize because he was deemed too famous has made it on to the shortlist for the prestigious award. Festival faces As the festival comes to Edinburgh, we bring you pictures of just some of the shows and performers entertaining audiences throughout the season. Comic seeks Better World Dave Gorman's Fringe show aims to make the world a better place - even if it fails it makes for a hilarious hour of comedy Vote for Election Election, a mid-western political comedy set in a high school, is being touted as a post-Lewinsky political comedy. A world of music and dance Cafe Graffiti again offers the most exotic mix of dance and physical theatre at the Fringe, including Amsterdam's Destino Tango and Rajasthan's Musafir. Never mind the hecklers Funnyman Phill Jupitus lets BBC News Online into the secrets of his stand-up act at the Edinburgh Fringe - with some stern words for would-be hecklers. Del Boy rivals moon landing for top TV Man landing on the moon, the Daleks and Del Boy falling through the bar in Only Fools And Horses are voted TV's greatest moments. Jim Rose: The shocking truth Jim Rose Circus is world famous for shocking acts of depravation and chainsaw mayhem, but the man himself claims he is a normal actor. Oh my God, they killed Norman Bob Godfrey - dubbed Britain's godfather of animation - speaks to BBC News Online about his return to the Edinburgh Film Festival with The Many Deaths of Norman Spittal. Stuck on Shakespeare More than one in 10 shows are based on the bard - some straight, some musical, some downright weird. Edinburgh from A to Z Some of the highlights of this years' festival - put into alphabetical order. At war over truth and peace Nato is in danger of losing its grip on the truth by presenting the Kosovo conflict as a victory, former UN commander in Bosnia General Sir Michael Rose tells the Edinburgh Book Festival. Dannii mania hits Edinburgh Dannii mania has all but taken over the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this year. Ratcatcher starts film festival The Edinburgh International Film Festival begins, with an opening gala performance celebrating the work of new Scottish director Lynne Ramsay. A cut above the rest Scottish comedian Craig Ferguson is set for success in a Hollywood film about a Glaswegian hairdresser. Dominic Holland's insecure charm By BBC News Online's Festival correspondent Matt Grant Danny Bhoy's pipe dream comes true A 24-year-old Scot has walked off with the Open Mic award - one of the UK's top prizes for up and coming comics - at the Edinburgh Fringe. Larger than life Turandot A 19th century Italian's take on Oriental culture given a 20th century twist by a Japanese company backed by a Scottish orchestra - it doesn't get more international that that. Stephen Billington: A prize villain After winning Villain of the Year for his performance as Greg Kelly in Coronation Street, Stephen Billington is again provoking passion, this time in the role of a gay Judas at the Edinburgh Fringe. Brosnan crowns film festival Edinburgh's Film Festival was treated to a touch of true-life Hollywood glamour when Pierce Brosnan arrived for the European premiere of his new film the Thomas Crown Affair. Festival date for Liam and Patsy Oasis singer Liam Gallagher and his pregnant wife Patsy Kensit made a low-key appearance at the Edinburgh Film Festival for the premiere of Patsy's new film. The reality behind those Festival rumours As the Festival moves into its final stages, the rumour mill starts to work overtime. BBC News Online's Festival correspondent Matt Grant is hard on the trail of the numerous odd stories and theories being circulated around. Arj Barker: No show at festival Arj Barker has returned to Edinburgh but forgotten to bring a new show. Mel and Sue: Out to lunch BBC News Online's Matt Grant finds daytime TV heroines Mel and Sue's recipe for comedy at the Edinburgh Fringe is not to his taste. Live after Red Dwarf Fans of the outer space TV comedy Red Dwarf have a reputation for being a bit odd - stars Craig Charles and Norman Lovett, who are appearing at the Edinburgh Festival, tell BBC News Online why. They're making it up.... BBC News Online's Edinburgh Festival correspondent Matt Grant talks to Johnny Vegas and Jason Byrne - two stand-up comedians famous for their madcap approach and on-stage improvisation. Jesus! It's a good play After all the fuss, it is a pleasant surprise to discover Corpus Christi is actually worth recommending for its own merits. The stamp of success A performance borne out of the misery of apartheid is receiving rave reviews in its first performance in Europe. Blair Witch: The disappointing truth BBC Scotland Arts Correspondent Pauline McLean says The Blair Witch Project fails to live up to the hype. Blair Witch hits the UK The shock film success of the year - The Blair Witch Project - makes its UK debut at the Edinburgh Film Festival. BBC News Online looks at the legend and the hype behind the movie. Connery steals the show Former Bond star Sean Connery flies in for the international premiere of a film about air traffic controllers - Mike Newell's Pushing Tin. Is this a Dannii I see before me? BBC News Online's Matt Grant reviews Journey to Macbeth, an Edinburgh Fringe production featuring handguns, cocaine - and Dannii Minogue. Public service broadcasting 'dying' - ITV boss Public service broadcasting has only a limited shelf life and "will soon be dead", says ITV chief Richard Eyre. Pub landlord draws Perrier prize Al Murray wins the prestigious Perrier Award for comedy at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival for his act The Pub Landlord. | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
