Ian Charleson biopic Elsinore to open BFI London Film Festival
Developed over time first seen 3 months ago
"Elsinore," a biographical drama starring Andrew Scott as Scottish actor Ian Charleson, opened the 70th BFI London Film Festival with its European premiere gala on 7 October at the Royal Festival Hall, next door to the National Theatre. Directed by Simon Stone and written by Stephen Beresford, the film dramatises Charleson's efforts to deliver an acclaimed Hamlet at the National Theatre before his death, and the choice reflects the festival's decision to open with a project rooted firmly in London's theatre world.
The gala drew Scott, who also produced the film, alongside cast members including Olivia Colman, Billie Piper, Johnny Flynn, Luke Thompson, Monica Dolan, Matthew Beard, Joe Locke, Adeel Akhtar, Juliet Stevenson and Peter Mullan. Producers alongside Scott included Andrea Occhipinti, Gabrielle Tana, Pete Shilaimon, Mickey Liddell, Stefano Massenzi and Carolyn Marks Blackwood. "Elsinore" is set for wide UK release on 29 January via StudioCanal, and in US cinemas from 20 November via Focus Features.
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In short
- "Elsinore" opened the 70th BFI London Film Festival on 7 October
- Andrew Scott stars as and produces the Ian Charleson biopic
- UK release 29 January (StudioCanal); US release 20 November (Focus Features)
How this story developed
- 3 months ago Festival director Kristy Matheson and director Simon Stone issued statements praising the film to accompany the now-finalised casting and release details, even as coverage of the premiere reverted to describing the 7 October gala as still upcoming rather than having already taken place.
- 3 months ago Additional cast members including Matthew Beard and Adeel Akhtar, alongside producers Andrea Occhipinti, Gabrielle Tana, Pete Shilaimon, Mickey Liddell, Stefano Massenzi and Carolyn Marks Blackwood, were confirmed as the film went on to actually open the festival with its 7 October premiere gala as planned.
- 3 months ago "Elsinore," starring Andrew Scott as Ian Charleson, was announced as the opening gala film of the 70th BFI London Film Festival, set to have its European premiere on 7 October at the Royal Festival Hall with a cast led by Olivia Colman, Billie Piper, Johnny Flynn and Luke Thompson, ahead of a StudioCanal UK release on 29 January and a Focus Features US release on 20 November.
- The Hollywood Reporter Andrew Scott and Olivia Colman-Starrer ‘Elsinore’ Set to Open London Film Festival
- Deadline ‘Elsinore’ Starring Andrew Scott & Olivia Colman To Open London Film Festival
- The Guardian Andrew Scott’s Oscar-tipped Ian Charleson biopic to open London film festival
- Variety Ian Charleson biopic Elsinore to open BFI London Film Festival
Explained simply
Elsinore is a new film in which Andrew Scott plays Ian Charleson, a Scottish actor best known for a landmark stage performance as Hamlet at the National Theatre in the late 1980s, delivered while he was seriously ill. The film has been chosen to open this year's BFI London Film Festival, a major annual celebration of cinema held in London, which is marking its 70th edition.
The film is directed by Simon Stone and written by Stephen Beresford, with Scott also acting as a producer. Its cast includes well-known names such as Olivia Colman, Billie Piper, Johnny Flynn, Luke Thompson, Monica Dolan, Joe Locke, Juliet Stevenson and Peter Mullan.
Opening the festival is considered a prestigious slot, and the choice of Elsinore is notable because it centres on London's theatre world, with the launch event itself taking place near the National Theatre where Charleson's real performance happened. The film will later reach cinemas, with separate release dates already set for the UK and the US.
Coverage · 4 sources
- VarietyIan Charleson biopic Elsinore to open BFI London Film Festival
- The Hollywood ReporterAndrew Scott and Olivia Colman-Starrer ‘Elsinore’ Set to Open London Film Festival
- Deadline‘Elsinore’ Starring Andrew Scott & Olivia Colman To Open London Film Festival
- The GuardianLeftAndrew Scott’s Oscar-tipped Ian Charleson biopic to open London film festival
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Originally published by Variety as “Andrew Scott’s ‘Elsinore’ to Open London Film Festival”.