New Film by Steve McQueen to Premiere at BFI London Festival, Follows the Journey of a Boy Separated from his Mother During World War II

Steve McQueen’s Apple original film “Blitz” will make its world premiere as the opening night gala of the 68th BFI London Film Festival (LFF). The movie follows George, a nine-year-old boy living in wartime London, who is sent to the countryside by his mother Rita for safety. The film explores George’s journey back to London and Rita’s search for her missing son.

The cast for the movie includes Saoirse Ronan as Rita, Harris Dickinson as George, Benjamin Clementine, Kathy Burke, Paul Weller, and Stephen Graham. “Blitz” is a tribute to the resilience of Londoners during World War II and portrays the struggles of a working-class family desperate to be reunited.

McQueen expressed that he wanted to celebrate the spirit of Londoners during this time while also depicting an accurate representation of people in London. LFF Director Kristy Matheson praised McQueen’s attention to detail in every aspect of the film, making it fresh and compelling.

Familiar collaborators such as production designer Adam Stockhausen, costume designer Jacqueline Durran, and composer Hans Zimmer are back on board for this project. “Blitz” will be shown in select cinemas on November 1 before streaming globally on Apple TV+ starting November 22.

The 68th BFI London Film Festival will take place from October 9-20 at various venues across London including Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall, BFI Southbank and BFI IMAX. Partner cinemas in locations such as Nottingham, Cardiff, Glasgow, Manchester, Birmingham, Belfast, Sheffield