London Film Festival opens 70th edition with emotional Elsinore premiere
Andrew Scott led a standing ovation at the Royal Festival Hall as the festival began with a film about actor Ian Charleson and his final performance of Hamlet.
The BFI London Film Festival opened its 70th edition at the Royal Festival Hall on London’s Southbank on October 7, with an emotional screening of Elsinore followed by dancing. Andrew Scott stars as actor Ian Charleson in Simon Stone’s film about his effort to perform Hamlet at the National Theatre while dying from Aids in the late 1980s.
The film’s London setting gave the opening a close connection to the festival venue: much of Elsinore was shot at the National Theatre, a short distance from the Royal Festival Hall. After the screening, the audience gave Scott and the cast a standing ovation. Scott then directed guests to dance out of the theatre to music featured in the film.
The festival runs until October 18. Its director, Kristy Matheson, said opening with a film centred on “community, resistance, and the triumph of art” was a “great honour”. BFI chief executive Ben Roberts also used his opening-night speech to stress the festival’s ambition to reach audiences across the UK.
Why Elsinore’s story matters
Elsinore follows Charleson as he prepares to play Hamlet on the National Theatre stage. The actor died of Aids. The opening brought people from his life into the spotlight alongside the performers portraying them, including National Theatre doorkeeper Linda Tolhurst, dresser Ralph Mills and actor and director Sean Mathias.
The strongest response was reserved for Dr Margaret Johnson, who treated Charleson towards the end of his life. Johnson pioneered HIV and Aids care in the UK and established a London HIV clinic that was later renamed the Ian Charleson Day Centre. Olivia Colman, who plays Johnson in the film, joined her on stage.
What the filmmakers said
Stone said the film industry could learn from theatre’s approach to developing ideas, arguing for more budget for research and development. Screenwriter Stephen Beresford said he wanted a more “symbiotic” relationship between film and theatre. Elsinore also stars Colman, Billie Piper, Johnny Flynn, Luke Thompson and Joe Locke.
This report draws on information from Screen and The Standard.
Editorial checks passed Facts, figures and quotes checked against 2 sources
