SPOTLIGHT FILMS: Salmon fishing in the Yemen
By Contributor
An improbable journey into the Yemeni desert to establish fly fishing sport is an odd premise for a story, but so starts Salmon Fishing in the Yemen, the upcoming Spotlight Films presentation.
On Tuesday, May 29 Spotlight presents a film from director Lasse Halstrom starring Ewan McGregor, Emily Blunt, Kristin Scott Thomas, and Amr Waked.
This is another creation from Halstrom who directed such memorable gems as Chocolat, Cider House Rules, and What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, as notable demonstrations of his talents in the field. The story is adapted from the novel by Paul Torday, the screenplay written by Simon Beaufoy, and could well be a statement on the misguided virtues of those with too much money and time at their disposal.
Dr. Alfred Jones (McGregor), Britain’s leading fisheries expert, is approached to fulfill the improbable dream of Sheikh Muhammed (Waked) who believes his vision of bringing fly fishing to the river and fish unfriendly Yemeni desert will enrich the lives of its citizens.
Jones understandably rejects the idea as absurd and slinks back into the predictably dull and anal life he has built for himself. There, of course, would be no story if the Prime Minister’s overzealous press secretary, Patricia Maxwell (Thomas), didn’t latch onto the idea as being a great opportunity to display some international good will.
Maxwell, in scene stealing and hilarious fashion, convinces the good doc that participating in the project would be in his and everyone else’s best interests between distracting from the bloodletting in Afghanistan and the fact that there are two million anglers in Britain.
So begins the improbable journey and a hint of romance. Jones, whose marriage is tepid in the good moments, is thrust into the situation with Harriet (Blunt), whose soldier boyfriend is missing in Aghanistan.
Salmon Fishing in the Yemenwill be shown at the Gem Theatre at 7:30 p.m.
Film season passes are still available at the remarkably low cost of $42, that’s $4.20 for each film.
Spotlight Films would like to thanks their sponsors and supporters.
