Tag: Australia

Baz Luhrmann takes centre stage on the big screen at Vue Edinburgh

From Romeo + Juliet to Elvis, five films from legendary auteur Baz Luhrman are arriving at Vue Edinburgh this month.  

The season kicks off from 14 March with The Great Gatsby, starring an ensemble case – including Joel Edgerton, Carey Mulligan and Tobey Maguire – and led by Academy Award winner Leonardo DiCaprio in this adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s timeless tragedy.  

Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, Luhrmann’s dazzling and unconventional adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet will be returning from 27 March. Starring a young DiCaprio in his first collaboration with the director, he plays opposite Claire Danes as the infamous pair of star-crossed lovers. 

This modern adaptation is a world away from its Elizabethan origins, taking place in the futuristic urban backdrop of Verona Beach, California.

Considered by many to be one of the greatest musical films of all time, the unforgettable Moulin Rouge! will be heading back to the big screen from 20 March. The jukebox musical stars Ewan McGregor as a crestfallen poet who falls for Sparkling Diamond of the cabaret, played by Nicole Kidman. 

Also starring Nicole Kidman, Australia will be screening from 20 April. It follows an estranged wife as she joins forces with a rugged local, played by Hugh Jackman, on a cattle drive across hundreds of miles of harsh terrain to save her ranch.

But when the pair finally reach the town of Darwin, they must contend with the same Japanese bombers that just rained death upon Pearl Harbor. 

In the biopic Elvis, Luhrmann explores the life and music of Elvis Presley through the prism of his complicated relationship with his enigmatic manager, Colonel Tom Parker. The film boasts stellar performances from Austin Butler and Tom Hanks, and is returning from 14 April.  

General Manager at Vue in Edinburgh, said: “After over three decades in the industry, Baz Luhrmann has proven himself as a true showman of cinema.

“Here at Vue, we pride ourselves on bringing the ultimate seat, screen and sound experience – what better way to enjoy these high-octane, visually opulent films.”   

To find out more or book tickets, visit www.myvue.com  

Full listings:

  • The Great Gatsby (2013) – From 14 March 
  • Moulin Rouge! (25th Anniversary) – From 20 March 
  • Romeo + Juliet (30th Anniversary) – From 27 March 
  • Australia (2008) – From 10 April 
  • Elvis (2022) – From 18 April 

Dawn service of remembrance as Edinburgh marks ANZAC Day

Veterans and their families will take part in an international remembrance service at dawn on Monday (25th April) to mark the 107th anniversary of the Gallipoli campaign in the First World War.

Legion Scotland and Poppyscotland will join members of the Australian and New Zealand community for the service and wreath-laying ceremony at Comely Bank Cemetery at 5.30am. Led by Rev Dr Karen Campbell, it will feature Scots Guards piper Lance Sergeant Mark Macrae and bugler Iona McFarlane.

Later that morning, Edinburgh’s Lord Provost Frank Ross and Government representatives from Scotland, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, France, and Turkey will take part in Legion Scotland’s annual ANZAC and Gallipoli Day Service at the Scottish National War Memorial inside Edinburgh Castle at 11am.

ANZAC Day marks the service and sacrifices made by the Australian and New Zealand Armed Forces, as well as those from Scotland and the rest of the world who served alongside them. It is the national day of remembrance in the two countries.

Both services are open to the public, with a limited number of tickets for the memorial available from 9:30-10:15am in front of the Castle on the Esplanade.

At dawn on April 25th, 1915, the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC), together with British, French, and Russian forces landed on the Dardanelles Peninsula (now part of Turkey) at the start of the Gallipoli campaign.

This ended in a stalemate, with troops withdrawing in January 1916. A total of more than 100,000 soldiers were killed.

Dr Claire Armstrong, Chief Executive of Legion Scotland, said: “This is an opportunity to come together to remember the service and sacrifices of ANZAC servicemen and women through the years, as well as our own soldiers who fell during the Gallipoli campaign.

“It is a chance to reflect on the extraordinary courage of our Armed Forces community, both past and present, as well as the enduring friendship between our countries.”

Edinburgh Napier receives funding from Turing Scheme

Study abroad opportunities will be available for students

Students from Edinburgh Napier will be able to study across the world after the University was awarded a significant level of funding from the new Turing Scheme.

The funding, which was announced this week, is part of almost £100m that was distributed to education providers following the inaugural call for bids. It will enable and increase global mobility activity in the 2021/22 academic year, supporting students in accessing a range of international opportunities, regardless of their background.

The Turing Scheme is the UK Government’s programme to provide funding for international opportunities in education and training across the world. It supports Global Britain by providing an opportunity for UK organisations from the higher education, further education, vocational education and training and schools sectors to offer students, learners and pupils life-changing experiences to study or work abroad.

As part of the new global scheme, Canada, Japan and the USA are among more than 150 international destinations where UK participants will be funded to take up placements – with 48% of places going to those from disadvantaged backgrounds. 

The Turing Scheme gives participants the opportunity to benefit from working and studying abroad, while boosting the UK education sector’s ties with international partners in the process. It also aims to improve social mobility across the UK by targeting areas which had seen lower uptake up of other mobility programmes. 

Edinburgh Napier University Principal and Vice Chancellor Andrea Nolan said: “We are delighted to have been successful in our bid to the Turing Scheme.

“We have a long history of both widening participation and global mobility at Edinburgh Napier and it will be fantastic to be able to provide yet more opportunities for students from all backgrounds to experience some time abroad as part of this exciting new scheme.”

Universities Minister Michelle Donelan said: “Our schools, colleges and universities have worked tirelessly to make this programme a success, and I am grateful to them and their global partners who have truly embraced this opportunity for international collaboration.

“I look forward to seeing the innovation and expertise our students, pupils and vocational learners bring back to this country from their journeys to every corner of the globe – from Canada to Japan, and Australia to the United States.”

More information on how students can apply to the scheme will be announced in due course.

“A laugh, a joke, a tear and a beer”: veterans mark Anzac and Gallipoli Day

In a touching show of comradeship and remembrance today, representatives from all sides came together to attend the annual ANZAC and Gallipoli Day Service at the Scottish National War Memorial, at Edinburgh Castle, organised by Legion Scotland. Continue reading “A laugh, a joke, a tear and a beer”: veterans mark Anzac and Gallipoli Day