On the back of buzzy premieres at TIFF, San Sebastian, and the BFI London Film Festival, and a long-listing for Outstanding British Film and two BIFA nominations, Terence Davies‘ (The Deep Blue Sea, A Quiet Passion) BENEDICTION is slated for a May 13th release date in cinemas in the UK and Ireland via Vertigo Releasing.
Written by Davies and boasting a stellar British ensemble cast including Jeremy Irvine, Calam Lynch, Simon Russell Beale, and Kate Phillips, Benediction tells the story of a troubled man who survived the horrors of fighting in the First World War, Siegfried Sassoon (Jack Lowden/Peter Capaldi), a soldier decorated for his bravery on the battlefield, became a vocal critic of the government’s continuation of the war when he returned from service. Still revered to this day for his literature inspired by his first-hand experiences on the Western Front, he was adored by both members of the aristocracy as well in London’s literary and theatrical circles. He embarked on affairs with several high-profile men as he attempted to come to terms with his homosexuality, whilst at the same time, broken by the horrors of war, his life’s journey became a quest for salvation.
Benediction releases this coming 13th May, and in the meanwhile, we’ll leave you with the first clip from the film which dropped ahead of the TIFF 2021 premiere.