London Film Festival reveals opening, closing movies

Andrew Scott and Olivia Colman biopic Elsinore and Jesse Eisenberg’s The Debut have been named as the opening and closing movies at this year’s BFI London Film Festival.

Directed by Simon Stone, Elsinore stars Scott as the actor Ian Charleson as he prepared for a performance of Hamlet at the National Theatre during the last few months of his life as he battled AIDS.

Colman, who plays Charleson’s doctor, is joined on the cast by Doctor Who legend Billie Piper, Heartstopper‘s Joe Locke, Monica Dolan, Juliet Stevenson and Johnny Flynn.

“We couldn’t be prouder to be able to present this quintessentially London film on the opening night of the BFI London Film Festival,” said Stone, who is reunited with Piper after their work together on Yerma at The Young Vic in 2016.

“Ian Charleson had many of his greatest triumphs on the stages of the West End, at the Young Vic and of course the National, where he ended his short but dazzling career playing an unforgettable Hamlet.

“We are so lucky to have Andrew Scott, a London Hamlet himself, breathing delicate inspiring life into this beautiful story. I can’t wait to share it with the hometown audience!”

Eisenberg’s The Debut, meanwhile, follows the transformation of a shy woman after she is unexpectedly cast in a local musical and boasts an all-star cast including Eisenberg, Julianne Moore, Paul Giamatti and Bernadette Peters.

“I am both honored and honoured to be bringing The Debut to the 70th BFI London Film Festival,” said Eisenberg. “What a wonderful thrill to be the Closing Night gala, and I can’t wait to share the incredible performances by the cast with a London audience.”

This year’s landmark 70th BFI London Film Festival runs from October 7 to 18, with tickets on general sale from September 17.