Hamnet
Definitely one of the best films released this year but the real standout for me was the experience that went along with it.
This was the Gala screening for the LFF meaning I was expecting Chloe Zhao to come out and talk about the film for a bit even though I was beginning to think that might’ve been a stretch.
Firstly the incredible director of the LFF introduced Sadiq Khan who had a few jabs about trump and got the crowd excited. Then he introduced the author of Hamnet and co Screenwriter of the film, Maggie O’Farrell which was incredible. She then introduced a number of producers including Sam fricking Mendes. Then Sam Mendes, the day before my 18th Birthday, introduces Steven fucking Spielberg. What the fuck. The best birthday present I could’ve ever asked for and that was only the beginning of it.
Spielberg gave a lofty and appraising speech about the exceptional Chloe Zhao and her incredible storytelling ability and was then joined on the stage by her. Chloe Zhao very promptly introduced a majority of the cast who joined her on stage. Jessie Buckley, Paul Mescal, Emily Watson, Joe Alwyn, Noah Jupe and his unbelievable 12 year old brother Jacobi Jupe who blew the fucking film away. All of them did.
Next up on the mindfuck Chloe Zhao got the entire auditorium to do a breathing exercise that felt more like a mediation as everyone sat in silence and closed their eyes (and I kept on taking a few peaks at Steven Spielberg because what the fuck). At one point during the film I tried doing this again and trying to sound as least pretentious as possible I felt everything that Zhao mentioned about the film while I was taking those breaths and I felt everything that Spielberg said about Zhao to be true in just those few moments.
Throughout the film I teared up numerous times and felt my eyes just hold the tears there. At the end of the film my eyes gave up at the weight of them. I started bawling as Agnes reached out her hand and continued through the credits as the crowd refused to stop clapping and cheering as every name appeared. And as I started walking down the stairs to leave I started crying again. The best film going experience I’ve ever had.