A musical version of childhood classic “Matilda” opened the London Film Festival on Wednesday, with actors Emma Thompson and Lashana Lynch the first of many stars expected to walk the event’s red carpets over the next 12 days.
The movie, called “Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical”, is an adaptation of the London West End and Broadway stage show based on Roald Dahl’s 1988 book about a young girl who discovers she has a special power while dealing with cruel parents and nasty headmistress Miss Trunchbull.
“No Time to Die” actress Lynch swaps her 007 action stunts for a softer role as Matilda’s kind teacher Miss Honey.
Oscar winner Thompson plays Miss Trunchbull in the film, directed by Matthew Warchus, who also developed and directed the theatre show.
“(It was) the most physically challenging thing I’ve ever done because it was so physical and also Matthew wanted her to be utterly authentic so it was hard because she’s sort of such a monster,” Thompson said.
This year’s festival includes more than 160 feature films and screen talks with actress Jennifer Lawrence and director Alejandro G. Iñárritu among a line-up of big names looking back on their careers.
The programme includes red carpet events for Oscar winning-director Sam Mendes’ “Empire of Light”, Timothee Chalamet’s portrayal of a cannibal on the run in “Bones and All” and Daniel Craig’s second outing as detective Benoit Blanc in “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery”, which will close the festival on Oct. 16.
Musical ‘Matilda’ opens London Film Festival – sharjah24
