Six documentary picks from this year's EIFF

Murray Robertson
13 June 2017

Last Men in Aleppo

Half a dozen must-see documentaries at this year's Edinburgh International Film Festival

In among the fictional film screenings, EIFF 2017 has a wealth of documentary features vying for your attention (and the annual EIFF documentary award).

We've picked half a dozen of the most interesting and diverse documentaries, including films on space exploration, chicken breeding and Native American musicians.

Becoming Cary Grant

Bristolian Archibald Leach found fame in the US as one of Hollywood's hottest stars. This documentary charts his journey, using archive footage, interviews and home movie excerpts. As much a paean to classic Hollywood as it is to Grant himself, it also examines his experimentation with LSD.
Odeon, Lothian Road, Thu 22 Jun, 6.15pm; Filmhouse, Sat 24 Jun, 6.10pm.

Donkeyote

This wonderfully-titled film is a fascinating blend of documentary and fiction. Chico Pereira's film follows his 73-year-old uncle on a countryside trek with his donkey and dog, whereupon a narrative construction influences events.
Odeon, Lothian Road, Thu 22 Jun, 6pm; Cineworld, Sat 24 Jun, 8.40pm.

The Farthest

Space probe Voyage 1 was launched in 1977 and became the first man-made object to leave our solar system. Its primary objectives were to explore Jupiter, Saturn and Saturnian moon Titan. Emer Reynolds' documentary features interviews with the people behind this extraordinary mission.
Cineworld, Thu 22 Jun, 6.05pm & Sat 24 Jun, 3.35pm.

Last Men in Aleppo

The shocking story of the founding members of the Syrian Civil Defence (aka The White Helmets) who risked their lives trying to save others after last year's devastating siege of Aleppo.
Cineworld, Thu 29 Jun, 6.05pm & Sat 1 Jul, 6.05pm.

Pecking Order

Set in the run up to the 2015 National Poultry Show, this amusing documentary about the fierce rivalries and strange customs involved in New Zealand chicken breeding resembles the plot of Christopher Guest mockumentary.
Cineworld, Sat 1 Jul, 8.50pm; Odeon, Lothian Road, Sun 2 Jul, 3.30pm.

Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked the World

A fascinating look at the history of Native American musicians and how they helped shape the history of American popular music.
Cineworld, Sun 25 Jun, 6.15pm & Tue 27 Jun, 6.10pm.

Becoming Cary Grant

2017
France
1h 25min
PG

Directed by: Mark Kidel

Documentary on the life of movie legend Cary Grant.

Rumble: The Indians who Rocked the World

2017
1h 43min
12A

Directed by: Catherine Bainbridge, Alfonso Maiorana
Written by: Catherine Bainbridge, Alfonso Maiorana
Cast: George Clinton, David Fricke, Jimi Hendrix

A music documentary exploring the unknown and unsung Native American musicians who helped to shape modern-day culture.

The Farthest

2017
Ireland
2h 1min
PG

Directed by: Emer Reynolds
Cast: Frank Drake, Carolyn Porco, John Casani

It is one of humankind's greatest achievements. More than 12 billion miles away a tiny spaceship is leaving our Solar System and entering the void of deep space – the first human-made object ever to do so.

Last Men in Aleppo

2017
Syria
1h 50min
18

Directed by: Kareem Abeed, Mujahed Abou Al Joud

A documentary following the White Helmets, a search and rescue organisation fighting to keep Aleppo's remaining residents safe.

Donkeyote

As part of the Ibero-American Documentary Film Festival Scotland, a screening of Chio Pereira's documentary about Manolo and his donkey who go on a journey to walk across the American Midwest. A Q&A from the director will follow the screening.