BFI Flare: London LGBT Film Festival

Against the Law – BFI Flare World Premiere

Against the Law starring Daniel Mays had its world premiere at the BFI Flare London LGBT Film Festival on Thursday 16 March at the BFI in London.

The film is a powerfully moving drama and intermixed throughout is real-life testimony from men who lived through those dark days, when homosexuals were routinely imprisoned or forced to undergo chemical aversion therapy in an attempt to cure them of their “condition”.

BFI Flare audience reaction to the film was incredible and overwhelming.

Daniel says: “I’m incredibly proud to be part of a drama that tells such an important real-life story. Peter Wildeblood is a fascinating, complex, yet flawed character from a time when being a gay man in Britain was incredibly difficult – I can’t wait to bring his tale to life for the BBC Two audience.”

Daniel Mays (Line Of Duty, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Public Enemies) stars in BBC Two’s powerful factual drama as Peter Wildeblood, a thoughtful and private gay journalist whose lover Eddie McNally (played by newcomer to television, Richard Gadd), under pressure from the authorities, turned Queen’s evidence against him in one of the most explosive court cases of the 1950s – the infamous Montagu Trial.Written by Brian Fillis, Against the Law is directed by Fergus O’Brien, produced by Scott James Bassett and executive produced by Aysha Rafaele, Creative Director of The Documentary Unit, BBC Studios.

Photos from the premiere evening can be seen on the BFI Flare Facebook page. Some of our favourites:

Made by BBC Studios, Against the Law will broadcast on BBC Two in July.

Follow Daniel Mays on Twitter @DanielMays9

©DanielMays.co.uk

Interview – Fergus O’Brien Against the Law 

Fergus O’Brien, director of Against the Law, was interviewed this morning on BBC Radio London to discuss the importance of the BFI Flare Film Festival.

Listen to Fergus O’Brien’s interview. 

The Evening Standard has a great piece on BFI Flare and Againt the Law. 

Against the Law premieres Thursday 16 March at BFI Flare The London LGBT Film Festival. 

The anticipated air date for Against the Law on BBC Two is July 2017 to coincide with 50th anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexual acts in 1967. 

Follow Daniel Mays on Twitter @DanielMays9

©DanielMays.co.uk

BFI Flare: Against The Law World Premiere 16 March 2017

Updated 27 February 2017:  Tickets for both screenings of Against the Law on 16 March 2107 are currently SOLD OUT.  There is a possibility that tickets will be available on the day of the event.

BFI Flare: London LGBT Film Festival has today announced their exciting 2017 program line up for their 31st edition!

Against the Law starring Daniel Mays and Mark Gatiss has it’s gala world premiere with two screenings on Thursday 16 March 2017 at 18:15 and 20:45 at BFI.

BFI Member on-sale tickets: depending on membership level begins Monday 20 February through Wednesday 22 February 2017

Public on-sale tickets: Monday 27  February 2017 at 11:30 am

Against the Law is a timely and sensitive biopic based on Peter Wildeblood’s bestseller which tells the story of his affair with a handsome serviceman he met in Piccadilly and the devastating consequences of their relationship. Wildeblood had been a celebrated and well-connected journalist on the Daily Express, with a range of acquaintances that included Lord Montagu of Beaulieu. He is played by Daniel Mays, in a beautifully nuanced performance that charts his journey from Fleet Street via public vilification to his imprisonment under the same legislation that sent Oscar Wilde to Reading Gaol. Mark Gatiss gives a chilling performance as a prison doctor charged with administering therapeutic measures to homosexuals acquiescing to the idea that they can be ‘changed’.

The importance of Peter Wildeblood’s case (jointly brought against him, Lord Montagu and Michael Pitt-Rivers) is that it brought the debate about homosexuality into the public domain. It led the way to the creation of the Wolfenden Committee on sexual law reform that eventually resulted in the passing of the 1967 Sexual Offences Act, which changed the lives of thousands of gay men with its partial decriminalisation of homosexual acts. This film offers a profoundly moving portrait of what it meant to be gay in the 1950s, underlining the importance of understanding our recent history and the immense social and emotional burdens endured by generations of gay men.

More information on the festival and ticketing can be found at the BFI Flare: London LGBT Film Festival website.

Follow Daniel Mays on Twitter @DanielMays9

©DanielMays.co.uk