BLITZ Trailer (2024) Saoirse Ronan

BLITZ Trailer (2024) Saoirse Ronan

BLITZ Trailer (2024) Saoirse Ronan, Steve McQueen, Drama Movie
© 2024 - Apple TV+

"My Mom sent me away." "She did it to keep you safe." Apple has finally unveiled the official trailer for the movie Blitz, the next cinematic creation from maestro Steve McQueen (director of Hunger, Shame, 12 Years a Slave, Widows, Small Axe). It's set to premiere soon at the 2024 New York & London Film Festivals this fall, before opening in theaters in early November and streaming on Apple TV+ later that month. The new film follows the stories of a group of Londoners during the events of the London bombing in World War II (from 1940 to 1941). A defiant young boy goes on an adventure running around London during the war only to find himself in immense peril, while a distraught Rita searches for her missing son. Saoirse Ronan stars as Rita, along with Elliott Heffernan as her 9-year-old son George. The full ensemble cast for this includes Harris Dickinson, Benjamin Clementine, Kathy Burke, Paul Weller, Stephen Graham, Leigh Gill, Mica Ricketts, CJ Beckford, Alex Jennings, Joshua McGuire, Hayley Squires, Erin Kellyman & Sally Messham. Featuring a score by Hans Zimmer. An interesting first look trailer, which plays more like a teaser with various flashes of footage - showing the bombings and tunnels and much more.

Here's the first official trailer (+ poster) for Steve McQueen's film Blitz, direct from YouTube:

Blitz Movie

Blitz Poster

A boy's journey. A mother's love. Miles of burning city between them. Sir Steve McQueen's Blitz follows the epic journey of George (Elliott Heffernan), a 9-year-old boy in World War II London whose mother Rita (Saoirse Ronan) sends him to safety in the English countryside. George, defiant and determined to return home to his mom and his grandfather Gerald (Paul Weller) in East London, embarks on an adventure, only to find himself in immense peril, while a distraught Rita searches for her missing son. Blitz is written and directed by acclaimed Oscar winner British filmmaker Steve McQueen, director of the films Hunger, Shame, 12 Years a Slave, and Widows, plus the Small Axe anthology (Mangrove, Lovers Rock, Red White & Blue, Alex Wheatle, Education) previously. It's produced Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Steve McQueen, Arnon Milchan, Yariv Milchan, Anita Overland, Michael Schaefer, Adam Somner. This is premiering at the 2024 New York and London Film Festivals this fall. Apple TV will debut Blitz in select US theaters on November 1st, 2024, then streaming on Apple TV+ starting November 22nd. Look any good? Who wants to watch?Blitz

Release poster
Directed by Steve McQueen
Written by Steve McQueen
Produced by
Tim Bevan
Eric Fellner
Steve McQueen
Anita Overland
Adam Somner
Arnon Milchan
Yariv Milchan
Michael Schaefer
Starring
Saoirse Ronan
Harris Dickinson
Elliott Heffernan
Cinematography Yorick Le Saux
Edited by Peter Sciberras
Music by Hans Zimmer
Production
companies
Apple Studios
Regency Enterprises
New Regency
Working Title Films
Lammas Park
Distributed by
Apple TV+ (worldwide)
Altitude Film Distribution (Ireland/United Kingdom theatrical)[1]
Release dates
October 9, 2024 (BFI)
November 1, 2024 (United Kingdom/United States)
November 22, 2024 (Apple TV+)
Running time 120 minutes[2]
Countries
United States
United Kingdom
Language English
Blitz is an 2024 historical war drama film written, produced and directed by Steve McQueen. The film stars Saoirse Ronan, Harris Dickinson and Elliot Heffernan in his film debut.

Blitz had its world premiere as the opening film at the BFI London Film Festival on October 9, 2024, and is scheduled to be released in select cinemas in the United Kingdom and United States on November 1, 2024, followed by a streaming release on Apple TV+ on November 22, 2024.

Premise
A defiant young boy goes on an adventure in London during World War II only to find himself in immense peril amidst the Blitz, while his distraught mother searches for him.

Cast
Elliott Heffernan as George
Saoirse Ronan as Rita, George's mother
Harris Dickinson as Jack
Benjamin Clementine as Ife
Kathy Burke as Beryl
Paul Weller as Gerald, Rita's father
Stephen Graham as Albert
Erin Kellyman as Doris
Leigh Gill as Mickey Davies
Mica Ricketts as Jess
CJ Beckford as Marcus
Alex Jennings as Victor Smythe
Joshua McGuire as Clive
Hayley Squires as Tilda
Sally Messham as Agnes
Production
Development
In October 2021, it was announced that McQueen would write, direct and produce a new feature film titled Blitz for New Regency, with Lammas Park producing alongside Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner of Working Title Films.[3] In March 2022, McQueen confirmed his next project was going to be about Londoners during the Blitz of World War II and that he had discussed this with Anne, the Princess Royal, as she had awarded him his knighthood at Windsor Castle.[4] In June 2022, it was announced that Apple TV+ had picked up the distribution rights. Producers are New Regency's Arnon Milchan, Yariv Milchan and Michael Schaefer.[5]

Casting
In September 2022, it was announced that Saoirse Ronan would be heading the cast and Adam Stockhausen leading the production design.[6] In December 2022, Harris Dickinson, Erin Kellyman, Stephen Graham and Kathy Burke were added to the cast, along with singer-songwriter Paul Weller in his feature film acting debut.[7] Later that month, Benjamin Clementine, Leigh Gill, Mica Ricketts, CJ Beckford, Hayley Squires and Sally Messham was announced in additional acting roles.[8]

Filming
Principal photography began in London in November 2022.[9] Warner Bros. Studios, Leavesden was used as a base.[10] In January 2023, filming took place close to the London Waterloo station. Later that month, special effect crews simulated bombs hitting the water in the River Thames in Wapping. Filming also took place in the London borough of Greenwich.[11] In February 2023, reports were that the production moved to Hull's old town with a filming schedule of two weeks.[12]

Release
Blitz premiered as the opening film at the BFI London Film Festival held at the Royal Festival Hall on October 9, 2024, McQueen's third directorial effort to do so after 2018's Widows and 2020's Mangrove, which was part of his Small Axe anthology series. The film will then be released in select theatres in the United States and the United Kingdom on November 1, 2024, before streaming on Apple TV+ on November 22.[13]

Accolades
Award/Festival Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
Montclair Film Festival October 27, 2024 Visionary Director Award Steve McQueen Honored [14][15]
Camerimage November 23, 2024 Special Award for Outstanding Director Won [16][17]
Golden Frog Yorick Le Saux Pending
References
"Blitz (2024)". BBFC. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
"Blitz (12A)". BBFC. October 4, 2024. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
Fleming, Mike Jr. (November 9, 2021). "Steve McQueen Sets Next Film 'Blitz' At New Regency, Where He Made Oscar-Winner '12 Years A Slave'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 12, 2022. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
Hennessey, Ted (March 15, 2022). "Sir Steve McQueen discusses new Blitz film at Windsor investiture ceremony". The Independent. Archived from the original on March 15, 2022. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
Kroll, Justin (June 6, 2022). "Apple Lands Steve McQueen's Next Feature Film 'Blitz'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 9, 2023. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
"Saoirse Ronan To Star In Steve McQueen's 'Blitz' For Apple Original Films And New Regency". Deadline Hollywood. September 22, 2022. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
Kroll, Justin (December 6, 2022). "Harris Dickinson, Elliott Heffernan, Erin Kellyman Among Those Joining Ensemble Of Steve McQueen's 'Blitz' At Apple". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 15, 2022. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
Yossman, K.J. (December 13, 2022). "Steve McQueen's World War 2 Feature 'Blitz' Rounds Out Cast With Benjamin Clementine, Leigh Gill and More (Exclusive)". Variety. Archived from the original on August 9, 2023. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
"Blitz Production List". Film & Television Industry Alliance. October 10, 2022. Archived from the original on December 15, 2022. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
"What's On Screen and Filming in London: December 2022". Film London. December 7, 2022. Archived from the original on May 24, 2024. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
Doyle, Emma Doyle (January 13, 2023). "Greenwich 'finally gets a London Underground station' after film crew spotted building set for blockbuster movie". MyLondon. Archived from the original on November 14, 2023. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
Ingham, Harry (February 6, 2023). "Old Town transformed into Blitz Britain as filming starts for Apple TV". Hull Daily Mail. Archived from the original on July 6, 2024. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
Ntim, Zac (July 1, 2024). "Steve McQueen's 'Blitz' To Open London Film Festival As World Premiere". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 11, 2024. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
Lewis, Hilary (September 19, 2024). Moody, Nekesa Mumbi (ed.). "Montclair Film Festival: Conclave to Open, The Piano Lesson to Close, Unstoppable as Fiction Centerpiece (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. ISSN 0018-3660. OCLC 44653726. Retrieved September 23, 2024. …Montclair Film will honor Nightbitch director Marielle Heller with the festival's Director Award, after a screening of her film about Amy Adams's mother character…
—. "The Montclair Film Festival Announces 2024 Opening, Closing, Centerpiece, Honors, & Creator Spotlight | Montclair Film". montclairfilm.org. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
"STEVE McQUEEN TO RECEIVE THE EnergaCAMERIMAGE OUTSTANDING DIRECTOR AWARD – EnergaCAMERIMAGE 2024". camerimage.pl. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
"EnergaCAMERIMAGE 2024: BLITZ TO OPEN THIS YEAR'S FESTIVAL! – EnergaCAMERIMAGE 2024". camerimage.pl. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
External links
Blitz at IMDb
vte
Steve McQueen
Films
Hunger (2008)Shame (2011)12 Years a Slave (2013)Widows (2018)Occupied City (2023)Blitz (2024)
Television
Small Axe (2020) MangroveLovers RockRed, White and BlueAlex WheatleEducationUprising (2021)
Artwork
Queen and Country (2007)
vte
Apple TV+ original programming
Television
Films
Apple TV tvOSApple TV app channelsApple Studios
Categories: 2024 filmsAmerican films based on actual eventsAmerican historical drama filmsAmerican war drama filmsAmerican World War II filmsApple TV+ original filmsBattle of Britain filmsBritish films based on actual eventsBritish historical drama filmsBritish war drama filmsBritish World War II filmsDrama films based on actual eventsFilms directed by Steve McQueenFilms produced by Tim BevanFilms produced by Eric FellnerFilms produced by Arnon MilchanFilms scored by Hans ZimmerFilms set in LondonFilms shot in LondonRegency Enterprises filmsWorking Title Films filmsWorld War II aviation filmsWorld War II films based on actual eventsFilms shot at Warner Bros. Studios, LeavesdenEnglish-language historical drama films
Steve McQueen‘s “Blitz,” a historical drama taking place as Nazi Germany bombed London during World War II, has released its first trailer.

The Apple Original film stars Oscar nominee Saoirse Ronan as Rita, a distraught mother who frantically searches for her 9-year-old son George (newcomer Elliott Heffernan) after sending him to the countryside during the Blitz. The cast also includes Harris Dickinson, Erin Kellyman, Stephen Graham, Kathy Burke, Paul Weller, Leigh Gill and Benjamin Clementine.

McQueen wrote, directed and produced “Blitz,” which marks his first feature film since 2018’s “Widows.” The British filmmaker is best known for directing the 2014 film “12 Years a Slave,” which won the Academy Award for best picture and also earned him a directing nomination.

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“Blitz” will world premiere on Oct. 9 as the opening night gala of this year’s BFI London Film Festival. In a statement announcing its premiere at the festival, McQueen said: “‘Blitz’ is a movie about Londoners. It honors the spirit of what and how Londoners endured during the Blitz, but also explores the true representation of people in London, while at its core is the story of a working-class family desperate to be reunited during times of war.”

Popular on Variety
McQueen’s Lammas Park produced “Blitz” alongside Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner of Working Title Films, as well as Arnon Milchan, Yariv Milchan and Michael Schaefer for New Regency.

The film will debut in select theaters on Nov. 1 before streaming globally on Apple TV+ on Nov. 22.

Watch the trailer for “Blitz” below.

Read More About:
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Apple Original Films on Thursday unveiled the first trailer for Blitz, its WWII drama from Oscar- and BAFTA-winning filmmaker Steve McQueen (12 Years a Slave), in which four-time Oscar nominee Saoirse Ronan stars opposite newcomer Elliott Heffernan.

Hitting select theaters November 1 and debuting globally on Apple TV+ November 22 after premiering as the opening film of the BFI London Film Festival, Blitz follows the epic journey of George (Heffernan), a nine-year-old boy in World War II London whose mother Rita (Ronan) sends him to safety in the English countryside. George, defiant and determined to return home to his mom and his grandfather Gerald (Paul Weller) in East London, embarks on an adventure, only to find himself in immense peril, while a distraught Rita searches for her missing son.

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Saoirse Ronan in Steve McQueen's 'Blitz.'
Steve McQueen’s ‘Blitz’ To Open London Film Festival As World Premiere
Teasing a score by Hans Zimmer that may well be an Oscar contender, the trailer sees George navigate dark tunnels and a flooded London Underground as the city around him is destroyed, with sirens going off, a burning plane crashing into a building, and machine gun fire lighting up the night sky.

Written and directed by McQueen, who’s also known for films like Widows, Shame and Hunger, the pic is believed to have the potential to break out as one of the year’s top awards contenders. Its cast also includes Harris Dickinson, Benjamin Clementine, Kathy Burke, Weller, Stephen Graham, Leigh Gill, Mica Ricketts, CJ Beckford, Alex Jennings, Joshua McGuire, Hayley Squires, Erin Kellyman and Sally Messham.

McQueen’s Lammas Park produced alongside Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner of Working Title Films, Arnon Milchan, Yariv Milchan and Michael Schaefer for New Regency, Anita Overland and Adam Somner. Anna Smith Tenser, Natalie Lehmann, Sheeraz Shah and Sarah-Jane Wright served as executive producers.

Most recently releasing the popular heist thriller The Instigators, starring Casey Affleck and Matt Damon, who we told you are in early talks for a sequel, Apple will next see their action comedy Wolfs, starring George Clooney and Brad Pitt, hit theaters via Sony on September 20, after world premiering at Venice, making its streaming debut on September 27.

Check out the trailer for Blitz above.

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The anticipation for Steve McQueen’s next historical drama is growing. Starring Oscar nominee Saoirse Ronan as a mother searching for her son during one of history's most tumultuous periods, Blitz has all eyes on it. The heart-wrenching drama has unveiled its first trailer and it is equal parts distressing and thrilling. The movie has done some rounds of film festivals and with the trailer, it's clear that Blitz is worth all the buzz surrounding it.

The trailer sees a young boy, George, walking alone in the underground tunnels as bombing rages on the surface. He’s found by a police officer as he’s barely navigating the war-torn city. Like many parents during WWII, George’s mom had tried to send him away to safety, but he never reached his destination. Upon knowing her child is missing, Geroge’s mother takes it upon herself to find him. The trailer will give fans all the chills. A lost child’s confusion is doubled down with the world collapsing around him as the audience and his mother both worry for his safety.

What Is ‘Blitz’ About?
Set in the backdrop of World War II, Blitz follows a nine-year-old George, who is evacuated to the countryside by his mother, Rita, to escape the bombings. When he goes missing, determined to return to his family, George embarks on a journey back home as his mother searches for him. While not much is known about the feature, the trailer shows the resilience of Londoners, who were living under constant attacks, as well as of George and his mother who will go to any length to reunite. How the story unfolds remains to be seen.

Along with Ronan as Rita and Elliot Heffernan as her son George, the movie also casts Leigh Gill as Mickey Davis, Harris Dickinson as Jack, Erin Kellyman as Doris, Stephen Graham as Albert, and Paul Weller as Gerald. Further rounding off the cast are Kathy Burke as Beryl, Benjamin Clementine as Ife, Mica Ricketts as Jess, CJ Beckford as Marcus, Alex Jennings as Victor Smythe, Joshua McGuire as Clive, Hayley Squires as Tilda, and Sally Messham as Agnes.

Blitz will make its North American premiere on October 10 at New York Film Festival followed by a theatrical release in select theaters on November 1 and will hit Apple TV+ on November 22. You can check out the new trailer above and get more details about the film with our guide here.

blitz-2024-official-poster.jpg
Blitz (2024)
PG-13
Drama
History
War
In Blitz (2024), set during World War II, a diverse group of Londoners struggles to survive the relentless German bombing campaign. Their intertwined stories reflect resilience, courage, and humanity amid wartime chaos, as they navigate personal and collective challenges while striving to maintain hope and unity.

Release Date
November 1, 2024
Director
Steve McQueen
Cast
Elliott Heffernan , Saoirse Ronan , Paul Weller , Harris Dickinson , Benjamin Clementine , Kathy Burke , Stephen Graham , Leigh Gill , Mica Ricketts , CJ Beckford , Alex Jennings , Joshua McGuire , Hayley Squires , Erin Kellyman , Sally Messham
Main Genre
Drama
Writers
Steve McQueen
From All Quiet on the Western Front to 1917, Dunkirk to Saving Private Ryan, explosive, sweeping epics about the First and Second World Wars have long had a reputation for winning Oscars – and now, it looks like the latest drama from Academy Award winner Steve McQueen, the soaring Blitz, is about to do the same.

Elliott Heffernan’s George and Saoirse Ronan’s Rita in Blitz. Parisa Taghizadeh
Starring four-time Oscar nominee Saoirse Ronan; Beach Rats, Triangle of Sadness and Babygirl breakout Harris Dickinson; music legend Paul Weller; This Is England’s Stephen Graham; The Crown’s Alex Jennings; I, Daniel Blake’s Hayley Squires; and newcomer Elliott Heffernan, it’s the heart-pumping tale of George (Heffernan), a nine-year-old boy caught up in the indiscriminate bombing of the capital during World War II, whose mother, Rita (Ronan), sends him to safety in the English countryside. When he fails to arrive at his destination, she embarks on a desperate search. George, meanwhile, defiant and determined to return home to his mother and grandfather, Gerald (Weller), in East London, sets off on an adventure of his own – and finds himself in grave danger, fleeing from crashing planes, collapsing buildings and falling bombs.

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The first trailer, released on 19 September, ahead of the film’s world premiere at the London Film Festival on 9 October, is as tense and awe-inspiring as you’d expect – crammed with terrifying depictions of aerial bombardment, raging fires, hollowed out homes and flooded air raid shelters.

Elliott Heffernan’s George in Blitz. Parisa Taghizadeh
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There’s also a prestigey gloss to the whole thing thanks to an exceptional, Oscar-winning behind-the-scenes team: production designer Adam Stockhausen, who collaborated with McQueen on 12 Years a Slave and Widows, and regularly works with Wes Anderson, is responsible for the stunning reconstruction of ’40s-era London; costume designer Jacqueline Durran (Pride & Prejudice, Atonement, Anna Karenina, Little Women, Small Axe, Spencer, Barbie) has created the sharp skirt suits and tea dresses; and Hans Zimmer provides the rousing score.

Ronan’s Rita in Blitz. Apple TV+
Thankfully, we don’t have long to wait: Blitz hits the big screen on 1 November, before landing on Apple TV+ on 22 November. After that, it’ll be time to sit back, relax and watch the accolades roll in.
Saoirse Ronan teams up with director Steve McQueen for a buzzy new drama.

Blitz stars the actress, 30, as Rita, a mother living in London amid the chaos of World War II. Her “epic journey,” per the synopsis, begins when her 9-year-old son George (Elliott Heffernan) “embarks on an adventure, only to find himself in immense peril, while a distraught Rita searches for her missing son.”

The new trailer, released Sept. 18, shows George witnessing the horrors of the Axis powers' bombing campaigns over London at a military base while Rita frantically searches for him and advocates for other parents who'd sent their children to safer parts of the U.K. during the war.

Saoirse Ronan and Elliott Heffernan in "Blitz," premiering November 22, 2024 on Apple TV+
Saoirse Ronan and Elliott Heffernan in 'Blitz. Apple TV+
McQueen, 54, is the writer, director and producer of the historical drama, which will premiere as the opening film at the BFI London Film Festival on Oct. 9.

The Oscar-winning 12 Years a Slave filmmaker reunites with several longtime collaborators, including production designer Adam Stockhausen, costume designer Jacqueline Durran and composer Hans Zimmer, on the new movie.

Elliott Heffernan in "Blitz," premiering November 22, 2024 on Apple TV+.
Elliott Heffernan in 'Blitz'. Apple TV+
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McQueen told Variety in May 2023 that helming his documentary epic Occupied City about the Nazi occupation of Amsterdam helped him research the minutiae of living through WWII for Blitz.

“It was just one of those things where we wanted to get in the details,” he said. “For example, was it raining? Well, what kind of rain? Those kinds of small things that seem to be so incidental but are a huge part of how people think and act and react.”

Saoirse Ronan Plays a Mother Searching for Her Son Amid WWII London in Blitz Trailer.
Blitz poster. Apple TV+
Ronan has another acclaimed film out this fall: The Outrun, a drama from Sony Pictures Classics.

In Blitz, the four-time Oscar nominee and her young costar Heffernan share the screen with Harris Dickinson, Benjamin Clementine, Kathy Burke, Paul Weller, Stephen Graham, Leigh Gill, Mica Ricketts, CJ Beckford, Alex Jennings, Joshua McGuire, Hayley Squires, Erin Kellyman and Sally Messham

Blitz is in theaters Nov. 1, then streams on Apple TV+ Nov. 22.

Steve McQueen is debuting his latest period piece, this time starring Saoirse Ronan.

McQueen writes and directs “Blitz,” which follows the epic journey of George (Elliott Heffernan), a 9-year-old boy in World War II London whose mother Rita (Ronan) sends him to safety in the English countryside.

Per the official synopsis, “George, defiant and determined to return home to his mom and his grandfather Gerald (Paul Weller) in East London, embarks on an adventure, only to find himself in immense peril, while a distraught Rita searches for her missing son.”

Harris Dickinson, Benjamin Clementine, Kathy Burke, Stephen Graham, Leigh Gill, Mica Ricketts, CJ Beckford, Alex Jennings, Joshua McGuire, Hayley Squires, Erin Kellyman, and Sally Messham also star.

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THE OUTRUN, Saoirse Ronan, 2023. © StudioCanal / courtesy Everett Collection
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Academy Award winner McQueen reunites with production designer Adam Stockhausen (“12 Years a Slave,” “Widows”), costume designer Jacqueline Durran (“Small Axe”), and composer Hans Zimmer (“12 Years a Slave”) for the production. The feature is also a reunion between cinematographer Yorick Le Saux and Ronan, who collaborated on “Little Women.” Naomi Donne (“No Time to Die”) is the makeup designer.

McQueen’s Lammas Park produces alongside Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner of Working Title Films, Arnon Milchan, Yariv Milchan, and Michael Schaefer for New Regency, with producers Anita Overland and Adam Somner.

Anna Smith Tenser, Natalie Lehmann, Sheeraz Shah, and Sarah-Jane Wright executive produce.

“Blitz” will have its world premiere at the British Film Institute’s London Film Festival as part of the Opening Night Gala on October 9. The film will have its North American premiere one day later on October 10 at Alice Tully Hall to close out the 2024 New York Film Festival.

McQueen previously screened seven of his films at NYFF, including the premiere of his directorial debut “Hunger” in 2008. His features “Shame” (2011) and Oscar winner “12 Years a Slave” (2013) screened at the festival, and “Occupied City” debuted there in 2023. McQueen also showed three of his “Small Axe” works in 2020, with “Lovers Rock” opening NYFF at the time.

“Blitz” is described in the NYFF program as being an “alternately overwhelming and tender” film that “offer[s] a multicultural portrait of 1940s London too infrequently seen on screens.”

“Blitz” premieres in select theaters November 1 before premiering globally on Apple TV+ November 22. Check out the trailer below.

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Saoirse Ronan discussed the relevance of Steve McQueen‘s WWII drama “Blitz” amid escalating global conflict during a BFI London Film Festival press conference, saying that it was her first time not being able to “escape” from a project.

“The thing that made this so real as a filming experience is that you’d shoot certain scenes where there’s total chaos and pandemonium and we’re having to portray characters in abject fear and horror, and then you would leave set and you’d turn on the radio and you’d hear exactly the same thing, and you’d put on the news and you’d see exactly the same thing,” she said. “It was the first time I’d ever had an experience on a project where there wasn’t really an escape from it.”

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Ronan stars in the historical drama as Rita, a distraught mother who frantically searches for her 9-year-old son George (newcomer Elliott Heffernan) after sending him away from London to the countryside during the Blitz. The cast also includes Harris Dickinson, Erin Kellyman, Stephen Graham, Kathy Burke, Paul Weller, Leigh Gill and Benjamin Clementine.

Popular on Variety
Ronan added that she was “grateful” for the experience, though she wasn’t sure if that was “insensitive to say.”

“I think it gave you so much motivation to continue on with the picture because, again I hate to say ‘relevant,’ but it does feel incredibly relevant,” she said. “For some reason we still haven’t been able to break this cycle. So yeah, it made it incredibly real.”

McQueen touched on the topic in an interview with Variety on Tuesday, saying that events that occurred during production — including the explosion of violence in the Middle East that has involved the deadly bombing of civilians in Gaza, Israel and Lebanon — added to the film’s urgency.

“I’m very grateful for the fact I could have some kind of input into the broader, wider conversation about where we are now,” the director said. “Because we’re seeing this picture through a child’s eyes. As adults, at what point did we compromise? At what point did we turn a blind eye? At what point did we stop listening?”

McQueen wrote, directed and produced “Blitz,” which marks his first feature film since 2018’s “Widows.” The British filmmaker is best known for directing the 2014 film “12 Years a Slave,” which won the Academy Award for best picture and also earned him a directing nomination.

“Blitz” world premieres on Wednesday as the opening night gala of this year’s BFI London Film Festival. In a statement announcing its premiere at the festival, McQueen said: “‘Blitz’ is a movie about Londoners. It honors the spirit of what and how Londoners endured during the Blitz, but also explores the true representation of people in London, while at its core is the story of a working-class family desperate to be reunited during times of war.”

The film will debut in select theaters on Nov. 1 before streaming globally on Apple TV+ on Nov. 22.

Read More About:
Blitz, London Film Festival, Saoirse Ronan, Steve Mcqueen