Foxcatcher announced as the American Express Gala for the 58th BFI London Film Festival
The 58th BFI London Film Festival in partnership with American Express® is pleased to announce FOXCATCHER as the Festival’s American Express Gala. The film will receive its UK Premiere on Thursday 16 October at the Odeon Leicester Square, attended by Academy Award® nominated director Bennett Miller and stars Steve Carell and Sienna Miller.
Based on true events, FOXCATCHER tells the dark and fascinating story of the unlikely and ultimately tragic relationship between an eccentric multimillionaire John du Pont (Steve Carell) and two champion wrestlers Mark Schultz (Channing Tatum) and his brother, Dave (Mark Ruffalo). Bennett Miller won the Best Director prize at Cannes for this rich and moving story of brotherly love, misguided loyalty and the corruption and emotional bankruptcy that can accompany great power and wealth.
Clare Stewart, BFI London Film Festival Director, comments: “We are delighted to be announcing that FOXCATCHER will be our 2014 American Express gala presentation, marking the fifth year of our dynamic LFF partnership with one of the year's most powerful and important films. Featuring enthralling performances from its entire cast and directed with unswerving rigour, FOXCATCHER not only confirms Bennett Miller as one of the world's most significant contemporary filmmakers, it powerfully demonstrates the clarity of his vision: get to the truth by creating fiction out of fact.”
Director Bennett Miller comments: “I’m thrilled that FOXCATCHER will be playing the LFF and I’m thrilled to be attending. I suspect Britons will have a special relationship with this film.”
FOXCATCHER is directed by Academy Award® nominee Bennett Miller (Capote, Moneyball), with a screenplay written by E. Max Frye and Dan Futterman, and stars Steve Carell (Little Miss Sunshine) as John du Pont, Channing Tatum (Magic Mike) as Mark Schultz and Mark Ruffalo (The Avengers) as Dave Schultz, with Vanessa Redgrave (Coriolanus) and Sienna Miller (The Edge of Love).
Sony Pictures Classics presents an Annapurna Pictures production in association with Likely Story; produced by Megan Ellison, Bennett Miller, Jon Kilik and Anthony Bregman, with executive producers Chelsea Barnard, Ron Schmidt, Mark Bakshi, Michael Coleman, Tom Heller and John P. Giura, and co-producer Scott Robertson. Behind-the-camera talent includes director of photography Greig Fraser ASC, production designer Jess Gonchor, editors Stuart Levy A.C.E., Conor O’Neill, Jay Cassidy A.C.E., with costume design by Kasia Walicka-Maimone, the music supervisor is Susan Jacobs with music by Rob Simonsen and additional music by West Dylan Thordson, the casting director is Jeanne McCarthy C.S.A. Entertainment One UK release the film in UK cinemas on 9 January, 2015.
The 58th BFI London Film Festival in partnership with American Express runs from Wednesday 8 October to Sunday 19 October. The full programme for the Festival will be announced on Wednesday 3 September from the Odeon Leicester Square.
Festival Information & Ticket Booking
BFI Members’ priority booking opens 10.00am, 11 September - join at www.bfi.org.uk/join
Public booking opens 10.00am, 18 September
Telephone Bookings: 020 7928 3232 between 09:30–20:30
Online @ BFI website | In person: BFI Southbank Office: 11:30–20:30
NB. Last minute tickets are available to be purchased on the day about 30 minutes prior to the screening at Festival venues
About the BFI
The BFI is the lead body for film in the UK with the ambition to create a flourishing film environment in which innovation, opportunity and creativity can thrive by:
• Connecting audiences to the widest choice of British and World cinema
• Preserving and restoring the most significant film collection in the world for today and future generations
• Championing emerging and world class filmmakers in the UK
• Investing in creative, distinctive and entertaining work
• Promoting British film and talent to the world
• Growing the next generation of filmmakers and audiences
About the BFI London Film Festival
BFI London Film Festival is Britain's leading film event and one of the world's best film festivals. It introduces the finest new British and international films to an expanding London and UK-wide audience and attracts significant international film industry participation. LFF is a compelling combination of red carpet glamour, friendly audiences and vibrant exchange. LFF provides an essential profiling opportunity for films seeking global success; promotes the careers of British and international filmmakers through its industry and awards programmes and positions London as the world’s leading creative city.
BFI London Film Festival on Facebook and Twitter - @bfi #lff
Clare Stewart biography
Clare Stewart’s nineteen year programming career has encompassed leadership roles as Festival Director, Sydney Film Festival (2006-2011) and the inaugural Head of Film Programs at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image in Melbourne (2002-2006) as well as various roles at the Australian Film Institute (1996-2001), including Exhibition Manager, and programmer and Committee Member of the Melbourne Cinémathèque (1995-2002).
About American Express® Company
American Express is a diversified worldwide travel, financial and network services company founded in 1850. It is a leader in charge and credit cards, Travellers Cheques, travel and insurance products.
As part of the premium service American Express provides, Cardmembers have access to enriched experiences at some of the UK’s most sought after entertainment events, including best seats, exclusive offers and early-on-sale tickets. The company has multi - year partnerships with a range of entertainment institutions including AEG, Live Nation, Ticketmaster, Somerset House, The British Film Institute and National Theatre.
For more detail on the enriched service American Express offers its Cardmembers, please visit here or connect with AmericanExpressUK on Facebook or Twitter @AmexUK