The London Film Festival got off to an appropriately glitzy start when two of Britain's most celebrated acting talents turned out to launch their new film. Ralph Fiennes and Rachel Weisz delighted photographers outside the Leicester Square screening with an enthusiastic embrace as they arrived for the event. Both performers were clearly proud of their collaboration, a political thriller entitled The Constant Gardener, which tells the story of a widowed diplomat searching for justice against the backdrop of unrest in Kenya. They were also eager to heap praise on the huge crowd of movie fans who had gathered in the West End to meet them. "It's very sweet that so many people have come here," said Rachel.
Their new film was just the first of some 180 that will be shown between now and November 3, when the festival draws to a close with George Clooney's much-talked-about drama Good Night And Good Luck.
Among the other famous faces expected in the capital over the next two weeks are Kirsten Dunst, Susan Sarandon and Mexican heart-throb Gael Garcia Bernal. Wednesday night was all about Britain's leading lights, though, with best-selling author John Le Carré, who was behind the original Gardener story, likewise basking in glory.
The literary veteran, who has written over 20 successful novels, is no stranger to seeing his work adapted for the big screen. "I think Ralph and Rachel are wonderful and I am very proud that my book has been turned into such a great film," he said. "I think this is my eighth or ninth feature film and I can't remember such a strongly motivated and extraordinary production."
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
