Steve McQueen’s Blitz to open the 68th BFI London Film Festival with a world premiere

The 68^th BFI London Film Festival, set to run from 9^th to 20^th October 2024, will kick off with a grand opening night gala featuring the world premiere of the Apple Original Film Blitz. This highly anticipated film hails from the creative genius of Sir Steve McQueen, an Academy Award and BAFTA-winning UK filmmaker known for his poignant and powerful storytelling. Blitz, which McQueen directed, produced and wrote, stars an ensemble cast led by Academy and BAFTA Award nominee Saoirse Ronan and introduces Elliott Heffernan alongside Harris Dickinson, Benjamin Clementine and Kathy Burke, among others. The premiere is scheduled to take place at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall, with additional screenings set across the UK, ensuring that the film reaches a wide audience.

Blitz is set against the backdrop of World War II London, focusing on the epic journey of a young boy, George, played by Heffernan, as he strives to reunite with his mother Rita, portrayed by Ronan, after being sent to the English countryside for safety. The movie delves into themes of resilience, family bonds and the indomitable spirit of Londoners during the blitz, offering a fresh perspective on this historical period.

The involvement of McQueen, who has previously opened the London Film Festival with his films Widows in 2018 and Mangrove in 2020, marks a significant homecoming. His deep-rooted connection with the festival is further underscored by the BFI’s awarding of its highest honour, the BFI Fellowship, to McQueen in 2016 in recognition of his outstanding contribution to film and moving image culture.

Speaking about Blitz, McQueen expressed his excitement about the premiere, stating, “Blitz is a movie about Londoners. It honours the spirit of what and how Londoners endured during the blitz, but also explores the true representation of people in London, while at its core is the story of a working-class family desperate to be reunited during times of war. I could not be more thrilled that the BFI London Film Festival have invited us to open this year’s festival, and to celebrate the World Premiere of Blitz in my hometown.”

Kristy Matheson, the BFI London Film Festival Director, praised the feature for its scale, depth and production quality, highlighting McQueen’s nuanced approach to storytelling and his ability to make the subject matter feel completely new. “It’s an astounding production that will leave audiences in awe of the director, his cast and creative collaborators. We are honoured to share this film with audiences in London and across the UK and can think of no better way to open the 2024 BFI London Film Festival,” Matheson said.

Blitz is scheduled for a limited cinema release on 1^st November 2024, before becoming available for global streaming on Apple TV+ on 22^nd November 2024. This strategic release ensures that McQueen’s latest masterpiece will be accessible to a broad audience, further cementing his status as one of the most influential filmmakers of our time.

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For more information on the 68th BFI London Film Festival, visit their website here.