„Shallow Grave”, dir. Danny Boyle, running time 93’, 1994.
In 1996 Danny Boyle and Ewan McGregor triumphantly stepped into the film festivals' limelight thanks to the brilliance of their joint work - "Trainspotting". However, before this unique duo premiered their tragicomical farce about the lives of Edinburgh junkies they created an equally masterful if at present a bit forgotten "Shallow Grave". This sparse and modest but simultaneously clever, ambiguous and surprising thriller was a showcase for Boyle's directorial prowess and McGregor's thespian craft. The film kicks off when its three main characters are looking for a new flatmate. Mysterious Hugo responds to their ad and, in consequence, the events unexpectedly turn sour.
Having gained considerable experience over the years, Danny Boyle has now no match as far as filmic eclecticism and genre-juggling are concerned - he proved his expertise in among others "Slumdog", "The Beach" or "127 Hours". Similarly, Ewan McGregor is an A-list actor, frequently starring in movies by contemporary masters, including Tim Burton, Roman Polanski and Woody Allen.
It is worth re-visiting the beginnings of their careers in the movie industry especially since, despite the passage of time, "Shallow Grave" is still a contender to the title of one of the best acted and most suspenseful films. Full of riveting jokes and closing with a white-knuckle finale that still catches many viewers unawares, it is a worthy addition to the genre of British black/dark comedy.
"Shallow Grave" was critically acclaimed, among others at the San Sebastian Film (1994), where it received the Silver Shell Award.
Free admission
Organiser: Workshops of Culture
Partner: Dominican Monastery in Lublin
"Miasto movie in the summertime" („Miasto movie latem w plenerze”) is part of the „Dzielnice Kultury – Program Rozwoju Kultury w Dzielnicach Lublina” programme.