We’re only a few weeks away from the complete Toronto International Film Festival slate and the Venice International Film Festival lineup being revealed. So, it’s no surprise that other major fall film festivals are lining up their filmmaker invitations. This morning, the London Film Festival made news by announcing that Steve McQueen‘s highly anticipated new drama, “Blitz,” will open the 2024 edition of the festival on October 9.
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According to a release from the BFI, “Blitz” “follows the epic journey of George (Elliott Heffernan), a 9-year-old boy in World War II London whose mother Rita (Saoirse Ronan) sends him to safety in the English countryside. George, defiant and determined to return home to Rita and his grandfather Gerald (Paul Weller) in east London, ensues on an adventure, only to find himself in immense peril, while a distraught Rita searches for her missing son.”
The ensemble cast also includes Harris Dickinson, Benjamin Clementine, Kathy Burke, Paul Weller, Stephen Graham, Leigh Gill, Mica Ricketts, CJ Beckford, Alex Jennings, Joshua McGuire, Hayley Squires, Erin Kellyman, and Sally Messham.
In a statement released by the British Film Institute, McQueen noted, “‘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, BFI London Film Festival Director, added, “’Blitz’ is a film of incredible scale. Steve McQueen infuses the film with nuance at every turn; the depth of character and texture of the city are all peerless and make this subject 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.”
An Apple TV+ production along with New Regency and Working Title Films, “Blitz” will screen in select cinemas on November 1 in the U.K. before streaming globally on Apple TV+ on November 22. It’s unclear if there is also a U.S. theatrical release date.
McQueen has a long history with LFF with both 2018’s “Widows” and 2020’s “Mangrove” opening the festival in those respective years. His films “Hunger,” “12 Years a Slave,” “Shame,” “Lovers Rock,” and “Occupied City” also screened at previous editions of the fest.
Long considered a potential awards player due to its subject matter, cast, and the fact McQueen is a two-time Oscar winner for “12 Years A Slave,” the fact “Blitz” is opening London will make some question its awards prospects. That being said, in the past London has announced a film as a world premiere only for it to “sneak” at another festival beforehand. Moreover, “Blitz” could screen at the New York Film Festival, which runs from Sept. 27 to October 14 after its London premiere. Could that be in the cards for “Blitz”? We’ll have to wait and see.
The 68th London Film Festival will run between October 9 and 20th.