As a film enthusiast with a deep appreciation for the artistry and passion that goes into every frame, I must say that the 2024 BFI London Film Festival opened with a bang! The world premiere of Steve McQueen’s “Blitz,” starring the brilliant Saoirse Ronan and Harris Dickinson, was nothing short of electrifying.
Saoirse Ronan, Harris Dickinson, and Steve McQueen collectively marked the beginning of the 2024 BFI London Film Festival.
On Wednesday evening, McQueen’s newest movie, titled “Blitz“, kicked off the festival with its world premiere, drawing hordes of enthusiastic fans to the BFI’s Southbank Centre in hopes of catching a peek at the star-studded cast, headed by Ronan.
At the award show, the nominee for an Academy Award donned a tight, white gown adorned with an intricate silver-fastened sash, and gushed affectionately towards her young co-star, Elliott Heffernan. This 11-year-old was guided on how to pose for the throng of photographers calling out his name. The actors Stephen Graham, Paul Weller, and Benjamin Clementine were part of the ensemble present at the event.
Just moments before the movie began, McQueen expressed admiration for Heffernan, praising the “stillness” that his audition tape demonstrated, which earned him the part. “I’m incredibly thankful he’s around,” said the director. Later, Ronan shared her desire to make their film set as enjoyable and lively as the one she experienced during her first project (Ronan was 12 when she started working on Atonement)).
The original Apple movie, helmed by an Academy Award-winning director, tells the tale of 9-year-old George, portrayed by newcomer Heffernan, navigating his way through London during World War II.
In the midst of World War II, my mom, Rita (Ronan), sent me to safety in the tranquil English countryside. But my heart yearned for East London, the place I called home. As the German air raids relentlessly targeted London, I found myself fighting against bombs, thieves, and prejudice. Meanwhile, my mom was frantically searching for her lost child – little did she know, it was me.
Ronan said there was no way to switch off from the war on set or in preparing for the film’s release given what is happening in Ukraine and the Middle East. She said at the movie’s press conference on Wednesday: “There wasn’t really an escape. You’d put on the news and see exactly the same thing.”
The Irish actress discussed her experiences as a woman in wartime. “I’m convinced it must have been incredibly challenging for these young women,” she commented, referring to those who took over male-dominated roles during war. “So much was demanded of them.” She also noted that these actresses recognized the impact of war on the changing role of women. “We understand just how significant that moment was for us,” she said, emphasizing the crucial part women played. McQueen pointed out that many war films have only portrayed women serving tea, but failed to capture the true extent of their involvement.
During Wednesday afternoon, McQueen shared insights into his filmmaking methods and how his personal background influences them. He explained that, as a Black man, he didn’t enjoy any special advantages, which led him to be determined in his endeavors, bluntly stating, “I have to move forward with it.” When prompted for advice, he later encouraged an audience member to remain persistent in their work, saying simply, “Keep going!
The movie titled “Blitz” is set to premiere in certain UK and US cinemas on November 1st. It will then become available for streaming on Apple TV+ starting from November 22nd.
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2024-10-10 00:24