“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.
