Brave showing for Scottish fantasy film

GINGER wigs and a green carpet shook up the heart of the global film industry as the new Disney-Pixar film Brave was given its world premiere in Hollywood.

• Brave features the voices of Scottish stars including Billy Connolly, Robbie Coltrane, Kelly Macdonald and Craig Ferguson

• Scotland’s economy expected to benefit from film to the tune of £140m

Three of the film’s voice stars – Kelly MacDonald, Kevin McKidd and Craig Ferguson – turned out to greet fans as the Los Angeles Film Festival played host to the official unveiling of the fantasy set in ancient Scotland on Monday night.

McKidd said Brave would show people around the world the “spirit of Scotland”.

The actor said: “There’s so much history in Scotland and so much to see and do.

“I think some people think the Scots are dour folk but there’s nothing dour about Scottish people – we’re pretty wild, funny, alive people.I think the film gives a real sense of the spirit of Scotland.”

Ferguson, a major chat show host in the US, said: “The movie is a beautiful story and it’s an amazing thing to look at as well, it’s a visual treat.

“It’s like a dark fairy story. The press in America are making a big deal about the fact it’s a female heroine, but I don’t think that’s such a big deal, a hero is a hero no matter their gender.”

MacDonald plays the key role of the red-headed princess Merida. She said: “She [Merida] is an adventurous tomboy and very happy young woman. The spell is broken when her mother says she has to get married and take on adult responsibilities. That’s when she takes things into her own hands and makes a mess of everything.