Oldenburg opens with the World Premiere of Hank Bedford’s "Eugene the Marine" – and honors its lead actor Scott Glenn with a Tribute
The 32nd Oldenburg International Film Festival will raise its curtain on September 10th with the World Premiere of Hank Bedford’s homage to the worn out VHS tapes of his youth. A deliver-for-the audience film blending elements of classic Giallo thrillers and heartwarming humor, Scott Glenn stars in a stellar cast alongside Jim Gaffigan, Annette O’Toole, Shioli Kutsuna and Jeremy Bobb.
Bedford, who presented his directorial debut »Dixieland« in Oldenburg in 2015 returns with a cinematic vision that straddles the worlds of heartwarming drama, comedy and psychological thriller. Shot on 16mm and infused with the spirit of 1970s and ’80s genre cinema, »Eugene the Marine«, which Bedford co-wrote with Cesare Gagliardoni, pays homage not only to his iconic lead actor but also to the wild energy of Italian Giallo thrillers.
Glenn stars as Eugene, a former marine fighting to keep his life from unraveling as his son tries to force him out of his longtime family home and a series of mysterious murders begin targeting the people around him.
Glenn’s performance grounds the film with a physicality and emotional depth - a marine himself in his youth, he embodies the character with authenticity that recalls the finest moments of his career.
For more than five decades, Glenn has brought an arresting intensity to his roles — from »Urban Cowboy« and »The Right Stuff«, to »The Silence of the Lambs«, »Training Day«
- his credo has always allowed him to enter his characters with a deeply humble approach: “There are times when you’re acting, when the part plays you. If you’re sensitive enough you just let it happen and try to stay out of the way.”
Hailed as one of the most prolific character actors in Hollywood, he’s worked with directors such as Robert Altman, Francis Ford Coppola, Michael Mann, John Frankenheimer, and Sofia Coppola. His role in HBO’s »The White Lotus« has earned him an Emmy nomination as Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series.
In honoring Scott Glenn with this Tribute, Oldenburg celebrates his outstanding body of work and his most recent exquisite performance. Glenn’s career is defined by an unwavering commitment to complex, uncompromising characters, and »Eugene the Marine« stands as a vivid continuation of that legacy.
Hank Bedford, Scott Glenn, producer Stephen Vincent and members of the cast and crew will attend the Opening Night in Oldenburg, to present the world premiere of “Eugene the Marine”.
As part of the Tribute to Scott Glenn, the Festival will present the following films:
»Urban Cowboy« (USA 1980, Director: James Bridges)
»The Challenge« (USA 1982, Director: John Frankenheimer)
»The Silence of the Lambs« (USA 1991, Director: Jonathan Demme)
»Carla’s Song« (UK 1996, Director: Ken Loach)
Scott Glenn will be a guest in Oldenburg from September 10–14.