Flying Scotsman Screens After Unions Boycott Lifted

Hope That Film's Debts May Be Paid

The Flying Scotsman film, detailing the troubles and triumphs of Scots cycling champion Graeme Obree, opened the Edinburgh International Film Festival last night, after union leaders cancelled a planned boycott.

Broadcasting union BECTU had threatened to picket the film's red-carpet premiere in a show of anger over £80,000 in unpaid wages to members. Receivers were called in on the film after it hit a series of financial crises.

Graeme Obree attended the film's opening, but actor Jonny Lee Miller, who plays him in the film, reportedly became a casualty of the air travel security clampdown and could not attend.

The 60th EIFF will see A-list stars descending on Edinburgh, including Sigourney Weaver, Charlize Theron, the director Brian de Palma and festival patron, Sir Sean Connery.

Festival director, Shane Danielsen, reports that ticket sales are well ahead of last year. He hoped the festival will highlight new British films, such as London to Brighton, Dead Man's Cards, and The Killing of John Lennon.

BECTU yesterday called for the Scottish Parliament's culture committee to investigate how The Flying Scotsman ran up debts despite half a million pounds of public subsidies. The screening has brought serious interest from four distributors, raising hopes that the film's debts will be paid off.