Step into our iconic Red Phone Box pop-up cinema during the Fest for a unique, one-seat cinematic experience featuring films with local context and global relevance. Reminiscent of the beloved film Local Hero, we’ve transformed this phone box, kindly borrowed from BBC Scotland's props department, into a one-of-a-kind cinema. Step inside to enjoy a programme of short films that connect to our festival’s themes of land and sea, as well as screenings of classic features Local Hero and the Montrose-made documentary You've Been Trumped. Experience the smallest cinema in Angus, offering big stories in a tiny space!

Catch the Red Phone Box pop-up cinema at the Montrose Playhouse from 11am-5pm on Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th September.

Entrance to the Red Phone Box pop-up cinema is free, no ticket required.

Films Include:

Local Hero

Bill Forsyth's 1983 classic is a whimsical story of corporate ambition meeting small-town charm and resistance. Knox Oil and Gas company wants to buy, raze, and replace a quiet Scottish village (the same village of Pennan featured in You’ve Been Trumped) with refineries and deep-water docks. They send their top deal-maker and trouble-shooter, Mac (Peter Riegert), to handle the negotiations. Expecting a quick and easy deal, Mac soon finds himself charmed by the village's quirky inhabitants and the serene beauty of the Scottish landscape. As he gets to know the residents, including the eccentric beachcomber Ben (Fulton Mackay) and the local innkeeper Gordon (Denis Lawson), Mac's corporate mission becomes increasingly complicated. Meanwhile, Knox Oil's eccentric CEO, Felix Happer (Burt Lancaster), has his own peculiar interests in the village. Local Hero delightfully contrasts the ambitions of a large corporation with the simple, yet rich lives of the villagers, showcasing Forsyth's unique blend of humour and heart. (Bill Forsyth, UK, 1983, 111 mins)

This film is rated 12A

About the filmmaker: 

Bill Forsyth is a Scottish film director and writer renowned for his iconic films Gregory's Girl (1981), Local Hero (1983), and Comfort and Joy (1984). Forsyth's work is celebrated for its charm, wit, and insightful storytelling. Despite challenges in Hollywood, he continued to create critically acclaimed films like Housekeeping (1987) and Being Human (1994). His work has earned a lasting reputation in cinema, especially in portraying Scottish life and culture.

You've Been Trumped

This classic 2011 documentary by Montrose’s Anthony Baxter delves into the David and Goliath conflict between a group of proud Aberdeenshire homeowners and American tycoon - and 2024 presidential hopeful - Donald Trump. As Trump plans to build a massive golf resort on environmentally protected sand dunes, local residents, including the tenacious Molly, make their last stand. Facing security harassment, legal threats, and the loss of their water and electricity supplies, the community fights back. The film captures the cultural chasm between the glamorous, jet-setting Trump and the deeply rooted Scottish community, portraying the golf course as just another deal for Trump but a catastrophic environmental loss for the residents. Baxter's film intertwines humour, confrontation, espionage, and compelling characters, presenting a vivid tale of courage and resilience. The film includes scenes from scenes from Bill Forsyth’s 1983 classic Local Hero, and director Anthony Baxter's final attempt to reach Mr. Trump, filmed at Pennan’s iconic red telephone box. (Anthony Baxter, UK, 2012, 95 mins)

This film is rated PG

Watch Trailer

About the Filmmaker:

Anthony Baxter is a British documentary director and producer known for Eye of the Storm, Flint: Who Can You Trust?, You've Been Trumped, and A Dangerous Game. He began his career as a journalist at Capital Radio in 1989 and later worked at BBC Radio 5 Live, Top Gear, and ITN. His debut feature You've Been Trumped won multiple awards, followed by A Dangerous Game and You've Been Trumped Too. Eye of the Storm premiered at Glasgow Film Festival and won Best Specialist Factual at BAFTA Scotland.

Local Hero photos courtesy of Goldcrest