“Elsinore,” a biographical drama about Scottish actor Ian Charleson starring Andrew Scott, is set to open this year’s BFI London Film Festival.
The opening night gala, taking place on Oct. 7, will mark the film’s European premiere with Scott and cast members including Olivia Colman, Billie Piper, Johnny Flynn and Luke Thompson excepted to attend.
Directed by Simon Stone (“The Dig”) and written by Stephen Beresford (“Pride”), “Elsinore” tells the “inspiring true story of the actor Ian Charleson, who faced incredible odds while preparing to give the performance of his life in ‘Hamlet’ at the National Theatre in London,” according to its official synopsis. The London Film Festival premiere is particularly special as the Royal Festival Hall, where the gala will be held, is right next door to the National Theatre.
In addition to leading the film, Scott also has a producing credit on “Elsinore.” Other cast includes Monica Dolan, Matthew Beard, Joe Locke, Georgie Glen, Sadie Soverall, Adeel Akhtar, Dickie Beau and Kadiff Kirwan, with Juliet Stevenson and Peter Mullan.
The film will be released wide in U.K. cinemas on Jan. 29 via StudioCanal, and on Nov. 20 via Focus Features in the U.S. Alongside Scott, Andrea Occhipinti of Lucky Red produces with Gabrielle Tana of Magnolia Mae Films, as well as Pete Shilaimon and Mickey Liddell of LD Entertainment and Stefano Massenzi and Carolyn Marks Blackwood.
“We couldn’t be prouder to be able to present this quintessentially London film on the opening night of the BFI London Film Festival,” Stone said in a statement. “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!”
Added Kristy Matheson, BFI London Film Festival artistic director: “Anchored by Andrew Scott’s astounding central performance, few films will leave a lasting imprint on audiences this year quite like Elsinore. Stephen Beresford’s script offers a richly drawn world from which director Simon Stone and his exceptional ensemble of some of the U.K.’s greatest talents vividly bring the story of renowned actor Ian Charleson to the screen. We could not be prouder to open the 70th edition of the BFI London Film Festival with ‘Elsinore,’ a film that centers community, resistance and the triumph of art.”