One Life, a film starring Anthony Hopkins and Johnny Flynn, will be one of the main gala screenings at this year’s BFI London Film Festival. The film, directed by James Hawes and also starring Lena Olin, Romola Garai, Alex Sharp, Marthe Keller, Jonathan Pryce, and Helena Bonham Carter, will have its European premiere on October 12th after premiering in Toronto in September. See-Saw Films, the production company behind multiple Oscar-winning films such as The Power of the Dog and The King’s Speech, produced the film in collaboration with BBC Film.
One Life tells the true story of Sir Nicholas ‘Nicky’ Winton, a young London broker played by Johnny Flynn. In the months leading up to World War II, Nicky rescued 669 children from the Nazis. During a visit to Prague in December 1938, he discovered families who had fled Germany and Austria due to the rise of the Nazis. These families were living in desperate conditions with little shelter or food, and they were under the constant threat of Nazi invasion. Nicky realized that time was running out and wondered how many children he and his team could rescue before the borders closed.
Fifty years later, in 1988, Winton, now portrayed by Anthony Hopkins, still carries the guilt and grief of not being able to save all the children. He blames himself for not doing more. However, everything changes when a live BBC television show called That’s Life surprises him by introducing him to some surviving children who are now adults. This encounter helps him start to come to terms with the immense guilt he has carried for five decades.
The subsequent TV clip from That’s Life, where Winton meets the people he saved, went viral on social media, reigniting interest in his remarkable achievements. Winton, often referred to as the “British Schindler,” passed away in 2015 at the age of 106.
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Director James Hawes expressed his honor in having One Life as a gala presentation at the London Film Festival. He believes the film represents the heart and history of the people of London. Iain Canning and Emile Sherman, heads of See-Saw Films, expressed their privilege in telling Nicholas Winton’s story and their excitement to share it with an audience that is passionate about the power of film and the captivating stories that unite us all.
The 2023 London Film Festival, running from October 4th to 15th, will open with Emerald Fennell’s Saltburn. The rest of the lineup for the festival will be announced on August 31st. One Life is set to be released in the UK by Warner Bros Pictures on January 5, 2024.
In conclusion, One Life is a highly anticipated film that tells the compelling true story of Nicholas Winton’s heroic efforts to rescue children from the Nazis. With an impressive cast and the involvement of notable production company See-Saw Films, the film is expected to resonate with audiences and shed light on an extraordinary individual who made a profound impact during a dark time in history. Its inclusion in the prestigious BFI London Film Festival further solidifies its importance and recognition within the industry.
