About London Film Festival: Blitz - Opening Gala
BFI London Film Festival Opening Gala
In the face of nightly air raids, East End mum Rita (Saoirse Ronan) grows increasingly worried about her son George’s safety. Under the counsel of her father, Gerald (Paul Weller), she makes the heart-wrenching decision to send him to the countryside. But a few hours into his journey, George alights the train, determined to return to Stepney Green and his family.
McQueen’s incredible ensemble cast includes Kathy Burke, Benjamin Clémentine, Harris Dickinson and Stephen Graham. They inhabit a war-torn London that’s impeccably realised by Adam Stockhausen’s (12 Years a Slave, Asteroid City) production design and Yorick Le Saux’s (A Bigger Splash, Irma Vep) cinematography, while Hans Zimmer’s score revels in the scale and intimacy of the director’s vision.
But the film’s trump card is newcomer Elliott Heffernan, who captures George’s emotional strength, impish humour and sense of loyalty to his family with a wisdom beyond his years.
Please note there will be no trailers or ads for this screening.
Pre-screening short film
Aajao - Wed 9 Oct only
Dir: Maanuv Thiara
Cast: Karan Gill, Pria Kalsi
15 mins
Aajao (Welcome) is the story of Taj, a second generation immigrant caught between two worlds. Following the recent loss of his beloved father, Taj must find a way to pay tribute to him by mending broken bridges with the community he left behind.
MAC's London Film Festival pre-screening short films are all made in the Midlands by Midlands filmmakers.
BFI London Film Festival
Presented with the 68th BFI London Film Festival in partnership with American Express.
Booking info
To book Accessible tickets and free Companion tickets, please visit our Accessible Bookings page. Companion tickets will initially show a standard ticket price, but once your account is set-up and you are logged in, this will be reduced to £0 at checkout.
Duration includes trailers, adverts and any Q&A/panel. For events such as NT Live, Colour Box and Reel & Meal there will be minimal advertising. We do not admit latecomers after the main feature has started and we have a limited food & drink policy.
MAC’s cinema programme has been generously supported by BFI Film Audience Network and Film Hub Midlands.
