The Cinema at Gloucester Guildhall presents the new feature from acclaimed director Luc Besson, The Lady, as its Screen Tea selection for this Saturday and Monday. Starring Michelle Yeoh (Tomorrow Never Dies, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon) and David Thewlis (Harry Potter series and War Horse which opens at the Guildhall on Friday 17th Feb), the film plays as an inspiring biopic of the Burmese opposition politician and General Secretary to the National League for Democracy Aung San Suu Kyi.Perhaps one of the most prolific figures in Eastern politics winning the Nobel Prize in 1991, Kyi's campaign was supported by her people yet fiercely opposed by those in government to the extent that prior to 1990 election where she held 81% of the seats in Parliament, she was placed under house arrest and was not released for over a decade. Whilst the film serves as a standard biopic, beginning with her childhood and her other milestones through her life, its main focal point is the tenacious long-distance relationship she maintained with her British husband during her imprisonment.
Premiering at last year's Toronto Film Festival, it is certainly a meticulous creation that Besson has assembled thanks to the involvement of producer Andy Harries (The Queen, The Damned United) as well as award-winning cinematographer Thierry Arbogast who serves up stunning visuals of the South Asian landscape. Credit has to go to Michelle Yeoh, whose remarkable performance displays both sheer determination and real fear, with David Thewlis' turn as Aris acting as the perfect counterpoint to Yeoh's intensity. Yeoh, who spent months researching the role, describes the film as "an incredible love story set against the background of political turmoil" adding that the role was "a labour of love" although incredibly intimidating.Check out the trailer below:
The Lady (12A) is showing on Saturday 4th and Monday 6th February.
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