National Lottery-funded films in the spotlight

Players of the National Lottery have helped fund a whopping 12 feature films at this year’s prestigious BFI London Film Festival 4-15 October.

Thanks to National Lottery players like you, the British Film Institute can champion bold and original voices. One of those is director, Andrew Haigh, whose previous film 45 Years received both BAFTA and Oscar nominations.

His new film, Lean on Pete is a ravishing film that sees a boy and a horse embark on a Huckleberry Finn-esque journey in search of home. It’s in Official Competition in the festival so our fingers are crossed for Lean on Pete to gallop across the finish line and win Best Film!

Breathe, the compelling directorial debut from Andy Serkis (Lord of the Rings, Battle for the Planet of the Apes) has been chosen for the Opening Gala of the 61st BFI London Film Festival on 4th October.

The Lottery-funded film is an inspirational love story about two indomitable people who defy the odds and pave the way for change. When dapper and adventurous Robin Cavendish (Andrew Garfield, The Amazing Spider-Man) meets self-assured Diana (Claire Foy, The Crown) at a cricket match, a whirlwind romance ensues. Soon after their wedding, they set out for Nairobi where Robin works as a tea broker. But their new life together takes an abrupt turn when he contracts polio and is given only weeks to live. Determined that her husband’s life should not be restricted by medical and social prejudice, Diana ignores all advice and breaks him out of hospital. With the support of her twin brothers (both played by Tom Hollander) and friend Teddy (Hugh Bonneville), an Oxford professor who invents a wheelchair with a respirator attached, Diana creates an environment in which Robin can thrive and he goes on to lead a long and full life.

Andy Serkis explains: ”I read the script one night and I couldn’t stop crying. It was just so powerful, such a brilliant piece of writing, and I said to producer Jonathan Cavendish (son of Robin), ‘I know I’m sort of more known for directing dwarves, goblins and creatures of Middle-earth, and jungle animals, but I really would love to direct this.’”

The other National Lottery-funded feature films in this year's BFI London Film Festival are:

Journey’s End – starring Sam Claflin & Asa Butterfield

Dark River – Clio Barnard’s Yorkshire drama with Ruth Wilson, Mark Stanley, and Sean Bean

You Were Never Really Here – Lynne Ramsay’s Cannes winner starring Joaquin Phoenix

Journeyman – Paddy Considine directs and stars with Jodie Whittaker

Lek and the Dogs – in the experimental section

Arcadia – with score by Adrian Utley (Portishead) and Will Gregory (Goldfrapp)

Apostasy – Daniel Kokotajlo, First Feature Competition

Beast – Michael Pearce, First Feature Competition

I Am Not A Witch – Rungano Nyoni, First Feature Competition

Kingdom of Us – Lucy Cohen, Documentary Competition

For the full festival line up and tickets go to www.bfi.org.uk/lff