Source: This story originated with Variety.

The 70th BFI London Film Festival opened Wednesday with a powerful reception for “Elsinore,” whose European premiere moved much of the Royal Festival Hall audience to tears before lead actor Andrew Scott received an enthusiastic standing ovation.

As the film’s credits finished, the sound of audience members crying gave way to cheers when Scott’s name was announced on stage. The response capped an opening-night screening that brought the story of Scottish actor Ian Charleson to a venue only meters from where he gave his final performance.

Directed by Simon Stone and written by Simon Beresford, “Elsinore” stars Scott as Charleson, the “Chariots of Fire” actor whose acclaimed 1989 appearance in “Hamlet” came as he was experiencing complications from AIDS.

Charleson stepped into the National Theatre production after Daniel Day-Lewis walked off stage during a performance and did not return to the show. Charleson earned rave reviews for his work but died seven weeks after leaving the production.

The film, which premiered in Telluride and has since attracted widespread critical acclaim, is already expected to be among the season’s awards hopefuls.

A tribute to the people behind the story

Stone introduced the cast before the premiere, describing his leading man as “the great Andrew Scott.” Scott kept his pre-screening remarks brief, but returned afterward for a presentation recognizing several of the real people depicted in the film alongside the actors portraying them.

Among those acknowledged were Linda Tolhurst, who served as the National Theatre’s stage doorkeeper for 46 years and is played by Monica Dolan; longtime dresser Ralph Mills, portrayed by Paul Chahidi; and Sean Mathias, a director and close friend of Charleson, played by Matthew Beard.

The evening’s biggest applause — accompanied by another standing ovation — went to pioneering HIV/AIDS consultant Dr. Margaret Johnson, who is portrayed in “Elsinore” by Olivia Colman.

“It’s difficult to underestimate the impact this person had on the development of treatment for people suffering with HIV and AIDS,” Scott told the audience. “To our mind, she is a true life hero.”

Scott closed the presentation by introducing a song from the camp classic “The Ethel Merman Disco Album.” The track is performed in the film and was played at the premiere as a tribute to Charleson.

“We want you to be able to remember not just Ian’s death, but how extraordinarily he lived with such flair and zest and warmth and charm and passion and talent,” Scott said, explaining that the song captured a man who loved the entertainment industry deeply.

He then encouraged audience members to dance as they made their way out of the auditorium. “He went out performing, so this one’s for you, Ian. We love you,” Scott said.

Bringing “Elsinore” back to London

BFI London Film Festival head Kristy Matheson told Variety before the premiere that she first watched “Elsinore” with colleagues during the summer. Their reaction, she said, made the film’s strength as an opening-night selection immediately clear.

“It was one of those films where we walked out and we just had to really take a beat,” Matheson said. “We were really so sure of the film from the second it finished.”

The screening’s location added particular significance to the festival launch. The Royal Festival Hall sits only a short distance from the National Theatre, where Charleson delivered his final performance.

“I think it’s going to be such an incredible moment to screen that film literally a stone’s throw away from the National Theatre,” Matheson said ahead of the event. “So it feels like we’re going to bring this film home, and I’m just really excited and honored to do that.”

What Happens Next?

The London Film Festival continues through Oct. 18 after beginning Oct. 7. Its major screenings include “Wild Horse Nine,” “La Bola Negra,” “Club Kid,” “Ink,” “Artificial,” “Primetime” and “The Debut.”

The festival program also includes Screen Talks featuring Danny Boyle, Cynthia Erivo, Sofia Coppola, Javier Bardem and John Malkovich.

ShowBiz Take

The emotional reception and widespread critical acclaim strengthen “Elsinore” as an awards-season contender, while the London Film Festival’s opening-night slot gives Andrew Scott’s performance and Ian Charleson’s story a prominent industry showcase.

Screening near the National Theatre, where Charleson gave his final performance, also connects the film’s historical subject directly to its audience. By honoring both Charleson’s artistry and Dr. Margaret Johnson’s impact on HIV/AIDS treatment, the premiere framed the movie as a celebration of creative legacy as well as a remembrance of loss.