Philomena

Philomena

We have already been treated to some wonderful British films so far this year, but Philomena is set to be one not to miss this autumn.

It is always fantastic to see Judi Dench on the big screen doing her stuff, and Philomena sees her team up with Steve Coogan to tell a funny and emotional tale.

Dench will take on the title role of Philomena: a woman who is looking for the child that she was forced to give up decades before.

This video takes us behind the scenes as both Dench and Coogan talk about their characters and what drew them to the project - as well as some great footage from the film.

Coogan will take on the role of journalist Martin Sixsmith - the man who helps Philomena on her quest to find her son. Sixsmith wrote The Lost Child of Philomena Lee, and Coogan has adapted that novel for the big screen with Jeff Pope.

This movie also sees the fantastic Stephen Frears return to the director's chair: the filmmaker will be reuniting with Dench for the first time since Mrs Henderson Presents back in 2005.

Frears is no stranger to the real-life film having been the director behind the critically acclaimed The Queen.

Philomena looks set to be one of the most emotional movies of the autumn - I think a tissue will be needed - as well as one of the funniest as Dench and Coogan promise to make a great team.

Falling pregnant as a teenager in Ireland in 1952, Philomena was sent to the convent of Roscrea to be looked after as a 'fallen woman'. When her baby was only a toddler, he was taken away by the nuns for adoption in America. Philomena spent the next fifty years searching for him but with no success.

Then she met Martin Sixsmith, a world-weary political journalist who happened to be intrigued by her story. Together they set off to America on a journey that would not only reveal the extraordinary story of Philomena’s son, but also create an unexpectedly close bond between Philomena and Martin.

Philomena will be playing at the BFI London Film Festival tomorrow night as part of the Gala programme, and it is set to be one of the highlights of the festival. I for one, cannot wait to see it.

Philomena is released 1st November.


by for www.femalefirst.co.uk
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