Steven Spielberg made a surprise appearance at the London Film Festival to promote and praise director Chloé Zhao’s film Hamnet during its U.K. premiere, Variety reports.
Based on a novel by Maggie O’Farrell, Hamnet follows the story of William Shakespeare and his wife, Agnes, as they deal with the death of their 11-year-old son, and how the Bard eventually channeled that grief into writing his masterpiece, Hamlet.
Spielberg, who produced the project, introduced the screening at the festival’s Royal Festival Hall, speaking in depth about Zhao and her work:
We have become friends and have lunch at Amblin. I’m just amazed by her…I really believe the earth has a heartbeat…But Chloé Zhao is connected to it in a profound way because it’s where her art comes from…it’s what she brings to set every day, it’s what she anoints and shares with her cast every day. And I really believe that when you see Hamnetyou’ll be able to feel the seismic heartbeat of the earth because of Chloé Zhao.
A visibly moved Zhao then came on stage to discuss the making of the drama, before leading the audience in a meditative breathing session:
I feel immense gratitude because today we finally bring Hamnet home…Making this film on this island with this village has given me a deep, deep feeling of belonging, of community, of safety, and I don’t think I’ve ever experienced it before. And it helped me through a very difficult time in my life.
Starring Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley, Hamnet will have a limited theatrical release in U.S. theaters through Focus Features starting November 27th, before expanding nationwide on December 12th.
The BFI London Film Festival runs through October 19th.
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