BEVERLY HILLS – Joe Wright’s “Darkest Hour” may have begun its awards season journey at Telluride, but there have been a ton of other stops along the way including Toronto and a special screening in Washington, D.C. The WWII drama finally hit Hollywood Wednesday night at AMPAS’ Samuel Goldwyn Theater for the official Los Angeles premiere of the Focus Feature drama.
Speaking to the audience of Academy members, guild members and industry guests beforehand, Wright talked about how he’s been screening the film all around the country and meeting people who are “resisting.” As he notes, “Darkest Hour” is about a man, Winston Churchill (Gary Oldman), and a nation, the United Kingdom, resisting the threat of Nazi fascism as Hitler conquered Europe. There is obviously inspiration from this moment in history that can be shared with everyone today. He was joined onstage by Oldman, your Best Actor frontrunner, Ben Mendehlson, screenwriter Anthony McCarten and the film’s producers.
The premiere brought out a number of familiar faces and Academy members including Edgar Wright, Bryce Dallas Howard, Alice Eve, Roger Deakins, Sofia Boutella, Annabelle Wallis, Cary Elwes and Haley Bennett among others.
“Darkest Hour” opens in limited release on Nov. 22.