Film review award for Trainspotting star's daughter shows she's a chip off the old Spud

UNLIKE her dad, a famous actor, young Harmony Rose Bremner has made her name by critiquing films rather than starring in them.

The 11-year-old daughter of Trainspotting actor Ewen Bremner picked up the National Young Film Critic award for her review of The Illusionist, an animated film set in Edinburgh.

The St Mary's RC Primary pupil went to watch the film with her father at the opening of the Edinburgh International Film Festival in June.

Harmony used the film - which she says is one of her favourites - as inspiration for the competition, which her East London Street school encouraged pupils to take part in.

The primary seven pupil picked up her award in the age 7-11 category at a ceremony at BAFTA in London, for which her father flew in especially from LA to attend.

Harmony, who was chosen overall winner out of a shortlist of four, said: "It was really exciting.

"It looked very fancy and it was absolutely packed.

"I didn't know what I was going to say when I got the award but I said thank you to my dad for taking me to see the movie, thank you to my mum for helping me with the spelling and thank you to my teachers for giving me the opportunity to compete in the competition.

"I would really love to take part in more things like that."

She added; "The first I found out about the award was when I was in school and got handed an envelope.

"I didn't know what it was about and the teacher told the whole class."

Harmony's proud mother Marcia Rose, who lives in Stockbridge, also attended the ceremony, along with two of Harmony's friends and three of her teachers.

She said: "She is such a wonderful child. She tries everything that there is on offer.

"We always encourage her to do the best she can.

"Sometimes I say to her that she should get up to some mischief though.

"She loves school - at the end of the summer holidays she's always asking when it's time to go back to school."

Harmony's 289-word review earned her a glass trophy with her name on it, as well as a framed certificate.

She plans to take her trophy into school to show her classmates after the mid-term break.

The National Young Film Critic award ceremony, which was this year hosted by Blue Peter presenter Andy Akinwolere, takes place during National Schools Film Week, where nearly 500,000 school children will attend free screenings and events at their local cinemas across the UK.

HARMONY'S WINNING PIECE

The Illusionist

By Harmony Rose Bremner

From The director of Belleville Rendez-Vous comes the film about a French magician (Jean-Claude Donna) and a young girl (Edith Rankin). With Sylvain Chomet directing this enchanting movie, it is a must see this year.

The Illusionist is about an old 'has been' French magician and a lonely young girl from rural Scotland, who meet when the Illusionist travels to Scotland to find work. Although there is an obvious age difference, they form a strong bond.

He loves her like a father while the girl is intrigued by his illusions. Together they travel through Scotland, settling in Edinburgh. The magician finds odd jobs and is able to look after the girl. Eventually the girl finds love with someone her own age and the magician realises that she no longer needs him. Sadly, he leaves her via a letter, telling the girl that magicians do not exist. This is an emotional break up because the magician truly loves the girl.

I loved this movie because it had it all. Humour - when the Illusionists' magic tricks go wrong. Emotion - when the magician sadly watches the girl drift away with her newfound love. Music - the wonderful way that the music enhances the changing emotions of the characters. I particularly loved the animation, how it captured the beauty of the familiar sights of Edinburgh, I felt as if I were walking the same road as the girl in the film.

Although, The Illusionist has a PG certificate, its semi-silent and visual animation can sometimes seem complicated, particularly for children under the age of nine. Yet the fragments of mumbled dialogue add mystery, leaving the audience to interpret the story in their own way, making The Illusionist an exceptional film.