A year in programming and backed by two lifetimes of accumulated knowledge, After the Wave: Lost and Forgotten British Cinema 1967-1979, is the brainchild of EIFF Senior Programmers, Niall Greig Fulton and Robert Hope. The groundbreaking retrospective is sponsored by Sight & Sound, with kind support from Park Circus.

In an exclusive interview, Niall tells how these neglected British classics have been brought back to prominence.

What inspired you and Robert to create this retrospective?

Niall Greig Fulton: It was conceived during last year’s Festival. Robert and I were chatting nostalgically about some of the great British films we had seen on television years ago - titles that inspired us - and wondering what had become of them. On further investigation, we discovered that many of them were currently completely unavailable to the public, and others that had enjoyed a limited DVD release, had been deleted. That was the catalyst. We then discussed our idea with Hannah; began devising the structure; and entered into a long, tricky selection process.

Could you explain that structure?

NGF: The “Wave” referred to in the title is the British New Wave, and our retrospective begins as that movement ends in the late Sixties, and concludes in the late seventies, with the advent of Thatcher era cinema. From that period, we have chosen a selection of lost titles, on the basis of quality and availability, that we feel demand renewed exposure.

Many of the films are rarely seen - so how did you come across them?

NGF: Although we knew of several key titles already, a lot of research was involved. There was a noticeable, almost mysterious, lack of documentation regarding many of the titles, which didn’t help; and once possible inclusions had been identified, actually seeing them often proved problematic. Several were viewed from old, second-hand VHS tapes, and others required us to locate and privately screen actual prints. The process took the better part of a year.

Which are the rarest titles included?

NGF: Have a look on the internet. Try buying a copy of John Mackenzie’s classic Made, or Michael Apted’s unforgettable thriller The Squeeze - it’s impossible. In our opinion, that’s just not good enough. Even if you have been lucky enough to see some of the rarer titles before, the chances are you saw a truncated version, probably in the wrong ratio. The role of these films in the legacy of British cinema should be highlighted and celebrated, not lost and forgotten; and EIFF 2010 will offer perhaps the last chance to see them on the big screen, for which they were originally designed.

I believe one of the films has an EIFF connection?

NGF: Yes. We are absolutely delighted to be screening Maurice Hatton’s Long Shot. It’s a charming insight into the British film industry at the time, shot against the backdrop of EIFF 1977, and featuring a host of amazing guest appearances. It was one of the final additions to the strand, and is obviously unique in its relevance.

What about the filmmakers themselves?

NGF: We are extremely proud to be welcoming several of the directors to EIFF for their screenings. Guests will include Stephen Frears, Mike Hodges, Horace Ove, Robert Fuest, Barney Platt-Mills, and Harley Cokliss. It’s going to be very special indeed.

What do you expect from the After the Wave discussion event?

NGF: I can’t wait for that event, it promises to be absolutely fascinating. To be able to explore the work and the times with such a prestigious panel, including directors Frears and Hodges, producer, and Ex-EIFF Artistic Director Lynda Myles, and Sight & Sound editor Nick James, is an incredible opportunity. It’s going to be chaired by Francine Stock, and will be recorded for broadcast on BBC Radio 4. For British cinema enthusiasts, it’s a must.

Niall will be introducing several of the films screening in the retrospective, and taking part in the After the Wave discussion event.

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