A film about the singer Morrissey and the origins of the iconic indie band The Smiths is to close this year’s Edinburgh International Film Festival.
England Is Mine is about the life of Steven Morrissey in the 1970s, before he formed the band with guitarist Johnny Marr.
The film, which will mark the end of the festival (EIFF) on July 2, at the Festival Theatre.
It will star the Scottish actor Jack Lowden as Morrissey, and Jessica Brown Findlay as one of his key friends, the artist Linder Sterling.
The movie depicts Morrissey “frustrated with his working class existence” before meeting Sterling, who encourages him to pursue his ambitions for stardom.
The film ends with Morrissey meeting Marr.
The film is directed by Academy Award and BAFTA Award nominee Mark Gill and it is believed cast from the show will be visiting Edinburgh for the showing.
Mark Adams, director of the EIFF, said: “Morrissey is one of Britain’s most iconic artists, and this delve into his formative years is a witty and enthralling look at a great music talent.
“The world premiere of England is Mine will be a perfect way to wrap this year’s Festival.”
Tickets will go on sale at 10 am on Friday 12 May.
The festival will be opened by a debut feature, Francis Lee’s God’s Own Country.
It will open the festival on June 21.
The film is a romantic drama set in and shot on location in the heart of rural Yorkshire.
Josh O’Connor plays Johnny, a young man carrying the weight of his family’s sheep farm alone until the arrival of Romanian worker Gheorghe.
Adams added: “We are thrilled to be staging the UK premiere of Francis Lee’s accomplished debut.
“This hotly-tipped feature debut is one to watch in this incredible year for independent film and perfectly reflects the Festival’s ongoing dedication to delivering audiences the most original and artistically accomplished work in international cinema.”
Mr Lee commented: "It’s a great privilege that God’s Own Country has been selected as the Opening Night film of the Edinburgh International Film Festival. After the incredible critical and audience responses to the film in both Sundance and Berlin earlier in the year, I'm thrilled to bring the film to the UK for the first time.”
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