With the full official programme for the 68th BFI London Film Festival set to launch next Wednesday, announcements for what cinemagoers can expect from the latest edition of LFF are coming thick and fast. Already we've learned that Steve McQueen's Saris Ronan starring WWII drama Blitz and Morgan Neville's brick-based Pharrell Williams biopic Piece By Piece are set to bookend this year's fest, and just last week Elton John doc Never Too Late was revealed as American Express' gala pick. And now the BFI have confirmed that Netflix-bound drama Joy, the Bill Nighy, Thomasin McKenzie, and James Norton led feature directorial debut of Sex Education alum Ben Taylor, is set to make its world premiere as the festival's Cunard Gala screening.
Written by prolific scribe Jack Thorne (His Dark Materials, Wonder), Joy (not to be confused with David O. Russell's same-named mop-maker biopic) tells the true-life story behind the birth of the world's first "test-tube baby", Louise Joy Brown, in 1978. Here's the BFI's official description: "Told through the perspective of Jean Purdy (McKenzie), a young nurse and embryologist, who joined forces with scientist Robert Edwards (Norton) and surgeon Patrick Steptoe (Nighy) to unlock the puzzle of infertility by pioneering in vitro fertilisation (IVF). The beautifully crafted period drama celebrates the power of perseverance and the wonders of science as it follows this maverick trio of visionaries who overcame tremendous odds and opposition to realise their dream, and in doing so allowed millions of people to dream with them."
“I am truly honoured that my debut film, Joy, will receive its world premiere at this year’s BFI London Film Festival,” said Taylor in a statement accompanying the Gala announcement. "This is a far too little-known story of British scientific achievement and it feels perfect to celebrate these three maverick pioneers – and their world changing innovation of IVF – here at home. Joy is a very personal story for me, as I am sure it will be for many of our audience. But beyond the personal, I hope this film will have all the more resonance today when infertility and issues of choice are so much in the spotlight.”
With Taylor, Nighy, McKenzie, and Norton all confirmed to be in attendance at the Southbank Centre Royal Festival Hall's Cunard Gala screening, Tuesday 15 October is a date worth popping in the diary for any discerning cinephile. And fear not if you can't make it down to the Big Smoke, as even though it may take a little longer to reach you, Taylor's movie will be available to watch in select cinemas on 15 November before Netflix bring Joy to the world (literally) on 22 November. Yeah, baby!