Culture
29 Jun 17

Andy Serkis' directorial debut 'Breathe' to open the London Film Festival

Inspired by a true story, 'Breathe' will have its European premiere in October.

Earlier today, Andy Serkis took to his Twitter account to announce his directorial debut 'Breathe' as the opening gala film for this year's London Film Festival.

Delighted to present my directorial debut, the inspirational true story "Breathe", & Opening Gala film at #LFF! https://t.co/sHUuj8KIrk

— Andy Serkis (@andyserkis) June 29, 2017

Known for his roles in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, the Planet of the Apes prequels and Star Wars: The Force Awakens, 'Breathe' is the first feature film directed by Serkis.

The movie is the biopic of disability right activist Robin Cavendish, starring Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy. At the age of 28, Cavendish was given only three months to live after being paralysed from the neck down by polio. Foy plays Cavendish's wife, who inspired him to live a long life with purpose.

The film is produced by Cavendish's son Jonathan Cavendish, who spoke so highly of Serkis in an interview with Variety last year, "Andy is the perfect choice to direct ‘Breathe.’ He is a visionary director with a superb take on this unusual and uplifting material. And above all, he is a superb director of actors.”

Along with Garfield and Foy, the cast includes Hugh Bonneville, Dean-Charles Chapman, Tom Hollander and Miranda Raison.

Watch the trailer of 'Breathe' here.