Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy drama to open 61st London Film Festival

Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy star in Breathe
Robert Dex @RobDexES29 June 2017
The Weekender

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Claire Foy and Andrew Garfield will open the London Film Festival with the European premiere of their new movie.

The pair star in Andy Serkis’ directorial debut - Breathe - based on the true story of a couple who have to put their life back together when the husband is struck down by polio.

Serkis, who rose to fame playing Gollum in the Lord of the Rings films, said it was “a real honour” to be chosen to open the festival.

He said: “London is my home town and for my directorial debut to have its European premiere opening the festival is amazing.“

Garfield, currently on stage at the National Theatre in Angels in America, plays Robin Cavendish and Foy is his wife Diana.

The pair were told Robin only had months to live after he was paralysed from the nexk down aged 28 but he survived for more than 30 years and spent most of it campaigning for rights for fellow disabled people.

The cast also includes Downton Abbey star Hugh Bonneville, Tom Hollander and Diana Rigg and is produced by Robin and Diana’s son Jonathan.

Festival director Clare Stewart said: “We are proud to be opening the 61st BFI London Film Festival with a film that is a beacon for remarkable British talent: the directorial debut of Andy Serkis, compelling performances from a stellar cast led by Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy, and a story of universal resonance that is also deeply personal for producer Jonathan Cavendish.”

The festival opens on Wednesday October 4 and runs until Sunday October 15.

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