Manchester audiences will be amongst the first to see Mike Leigh’s highly anticipated Peterloo which will have its UK premiere here at HOME on Wed 17 October, with Leigh and members of the cast due to attend and take part in a post-screening Q&A. The film will screen as part of the annual BFI London Film Festival – marking the first time that the festival has premiered a film outside London – and simulcast to cinemas across the UK, offering audiences in Manchester and nationwide the opportunity to preview a major release with Manchester’s history at its forefront.
Distributed by Entertainment One (eOne), Peterloo tells the story of the Peterloo massacre, which took place 199 years ago today, on 16 August 1819, and stars Rory Kinnear, Maxine Peake, Neil Bell, Philip Jackson, Vincent Franklin, Karl Johnson and Tim McInnerny.
Written and directed by Mike Leigh, Peterloo is an epic portrayal of the events surrounding the infamous 1819 Peterloo Massacre, where a peaceful pro-democracy rally at St Peter’s Field in Manchester turned into one of the bloodiest and most notorious episodes in British history. The massacre saw British government forces charge into a crowd of over 60,000 that had gathered to demand political reform and protest against rising levels of poverty. Many protestors were killed and hundreds more injured, sparking a nationwide outcry but also further government suppression. The Peterloo Massacre was a defining moment in British democracy.
Peterloo reunites Mike Leigh with his regular team of Oscar® and BAFTA winners and nominees, including Dick Pope (cinematography), Suzie Davies (production design), Jacqueline Durran (costumes), Christine Blundell (hair and make-up), Jon Gregory (editing) and Gary Yershon (music). Georgina Lowe produces for Thin Man Films, with Gail Egan serving as executive producer.
Mike Leigh, Director of Peterloo says: “It’s always an honour to be included in the glorious London Film Festival, but how inspired and generous of the Festival to screen Peterloo in Manchester, where it all happened! I’m truly delighted!”
Tricia Tuttle, BFI London Film Festival Artistic Director says: “In Peterloo, Mike Leigh and his talented cast and crew have delivered a rousing, powerful film of immense scale and ambition. The festival is thrilled to partner with Entertainment One to host this from the beautiful cinemas at HOME in the heart of Manchester where the film is set, and to take the premiere out to audiences UK-wide through the simulcast.”
Jason Wood, Artistic Director of Film here at HOME adds: “We’re thrilled to be hosting the UK premiere of Mike Leigh’s Peterloo, and to be a part of the BFI London Film Festival, marking the first time the festival has held a premiere outside London. It is fitting that Manchester audiences will be amongst the first to see this highly anticipated film which focusses on a pivotal event in our city’s and our nation’s political history. Thanks to eOne, the BFI and Mike Leigh for collaborating with HOME on this very special event.”
Tickets will go on sale at 12noon on Thu 13 September. Peterloo will be released in cinemas across the UK on Fri 2 November 2018.
The 62nd BFI London Film Festival in partnership with American Express takes place from Wed 10 – Sun 21 October 2018.
