Steve McQueen’s Apple original film, “Blitz,” is set to have its world premiere as the opening night gala of the 68th BFI London Film Festival (LFF). The acclaimed director, writer, and producer has returned to the festival with this World War II drama.
Directed by McQueen, “Blitz” tells the story of George, a nine-year-old boy in wartime London who is sent to the countryside for safety by his mother Rita, played by Saoirse Ronan. The film follows George’s journey back to London and Rita’s quest to find her missing son. The cast includes notable actors like Harris Dickinson, Benjamin Clementine, Kathy Burke, Paul Weller, and Stephen Graham. Production of the film is done by McQueen’s Lammas Park, along with Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner of Working Title Films, and Arnon Milchan, Yariv Milchan, and Michael Schaefer for New Regency.
This premiere marks McQueen’s third time opening the LFF. In 2018 he premiered “Widows” at the festival and in 2020 he premiered “Mangrove.” McQueen received the BFI Fellowship at the 2016 festival. According to McQueen “Blitz” is a movie that honors the spirit of Londoners during World War II while exploring the true representation of people in London through a core story of a working-class family trying to reunite during times of war.
The LFF Director Kristy Matheson praised McQueen for infusing every scene with nuance and depth while making it entirely new through character development and city portrayal on screen. The film also brings together McQueen with his team once again including production designer Adam Stockhausen, costume designer Jacqueline Durran and composer Hans Zimmer.
“Blitz” will be released in select cinemas on Nov 1st followed by global streaming on Apple TV+ from Nov 22nd. The 68th BFI London Film Festival will take place from Oct 9th-20th at various venues across London such as Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall, BFI Southbank & BFI IMAX. Partner cinemas across U.K such as Nottingham