Screening Date: Fri. Nov. 10, 2023
Time: 9:15pm
Venue: Trylon Cinema
Cost: $15
Run Time/Year/Country: 93min, 1996, UK
Director: Danny Boyle

Smart, funny, sickly and sometimes just plain unconscious, Mark Renton (Ewan McGregor) is a hero of our times. Set in an underbelly of Edinburgh the city fathers never dreamed of, this is the story of Mark and his so-called friends--a bunch of losers, liars, psychos, thieves and junkies. This tragic-comedy charts the disintegration of their friendship as they proceed, seemingly inevitably, towards self-destruction. Mark alone has the insight and opportunity to escape his fate--but does he really want to "choose life"? On and off heroin, he continually weighs the pros and cons of straight living: "car, career, family, fucking big television, washing machines, compact disc players, electrical tin openers, good health, low cholesterol, dental insurance, starter home, leisurewear, and a choice of sweaters..." When he breaks it all down, choosing life doesn't seem all that promising and he's off to the next scheme and score. Featuring an iconic soundtrack with tracks by Iggy Pop, Underworld, New Order, Blur, Brian Eno, Pulp, Leftfield, Elastica, Primal Scream and Lou Reed.