We are delighted to announce that comedy legend Billy Crystal's Here Today will close the 74th edition of Edinburgh International Film Festival!
Crystal, who directs for the first time in 20 years, produced, co-wrote and stars in the film alongside Tiffany Haddish.
With EIFF's move back to August, the traditional season of comedy in Edinburgh, the UK Premiere will take place at Filmhouse on Wednesday 25th August, seeing the festival off with a smile.
Billy Crystal and Tiffany Haddish star in Here Today
Veteran comedy writer Charlie Burnz (Billy Crystal) forms an unlikely yet hilarious and touching friendship with New York singer Emma Payge (Tiffany Haddish) in the new comedy- drama.
Emma - the unlikely recipient of a prize to have lunch with the comedy legend, despite not knowing who he is – gets off to a rocky start with Charlie (think seafood allergy, a hospital visit, and an epi-pen). Before long, each finds in the other a sort of soul mate, forging a deep bond that kicks the generation gap aside and redefines the meaning of friendship, love and trust.
Billy Crystal says: "I'm thrilled that Here Today has been selected to close the Edinburgh International Film Festival 2021. To have an audience sit inside a cinema together and share the experience of this film after these unusual times makes me very happy.”
Nick Varley, Lead Guest Programmer of Edinburgh International Film Festival added: “We are thrilled to be closing this year’s festival with Here Today. Billy Crystal has created a wonderfully charming and touching film about friendship and growing old. The onscreen chemistry between him and Tiffany Haddish is just a joy to watch. Bring your hankies and prepare to shed tears of laughter and sadness”
Billy Crystal produced, co-wrote and stars in Here Today
Stage 6 Films presents an Astute Films production in association with Face Productions and Big Head Productions, a Billy Crystal film, Here Today.
Starring Billy Crystal, Tiffany Haddish, Penn Badgley, Laura Benanti, Louisa Krause. Directed by Billy Crystal.
Written by Billy Crystal & Alan Zweibel. Inspired by the Short Story The Prize by Alan Zweibel.
Produced by Fred Bernstein, Billy Crystal, Dominique Telson, Alan Zweibel, and Tiffany Haddish. Executive Producers are Rick Jackson, Claudine Marrotte, and Samantha Sprecher.
Director of Photography is Vanja Černjul, ASC. Production Designer is Andre Jackness. Edited by Ken Beyda. Costume Designer is Cynthia Flynt.
Music by Charlie Rosen. Casting by Tara Rubin, CSA
Here Today will be released by Sony Pictures Releasing UK, and will be in cinemas nationwide on 3rd September 2021
