DCM reports from The Glasgow Film Festival 2013

The Glasgow Film Festival 2013 officially kicked off on 14 February and DCM’s Rebecca Rau was there to share the evening with DCM Close Up.

A glitzy Opening Gala featured the UK Première of the classy French comedy Populaire, followed by a glamorous after-party that echoed the froth and fancy of the stylish rom-com. Director Régis Roinsard was in attendance and charmed the audience, inviting them to travel back in time with him to 1950s France, and announcing his love for Scotland by declaring; “When I was a kid, I wanted to be Scottish and immortal,” referring to his obsession with the film Highlander at the age of 11.

Populaire is a romantic comedy starring The Artist’s Bérénice Bejo, that tells the story of a young French woman in the 1950s who aspires to become a secretary. She moves town in order to get a job and when her boss sees she only types with two fingers, rather than all 10, he enrols her in a nationwide competition.

"It's an honour to open the festival and its gala premiere," said Regis Roinsard at the Gala Event. "It's a very elegant première for me - Valentine's Day, Scotland, UK première - it's a magnificent mix, and I'm very honoured to present my movie here today."

Roinsard describes his film as a love story, which is a "mix between My Fair Lady (but more modern), Rocky and Mad Men - but in a French style". The Parisian director adds, "I think it's a very good film for Valentine's Day because the principal thing in the movie is that it's a love story, so for that audience it's very cool.”

The festivities continued long into the night with French sixties garage band Les Bof, as well as a Populaire-inspired nail bar (courtesy of DIY nails) and delicious Campari cocktails.

The 10-day festival presents 368 film screenings, 57 UK premieres and nine world premieres.

Populaire Director Régis Roinsard and fiancee Valerie Turner with Festival Directors Allison Gardner and Allan Hunter.

Photo: Stuart Crawford