Joy, a Netflix historical drama starring James Norton, Bill Nighy and Thomasin McKenzie, will have its world premiere at this year's London Film Festival.
The film will be screened at the Southbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall on October 15, with director Ben Taylor and stars Mackenzie, Norton and Nighy confirmed to be in attendance.
The film tells the true story of Louise Joy Brown, the world's first “test-tube baby,” born in 1978, and the tireless decade it took to make it possible. Here's the synopsis: Told from the perspective of Jean Purdy (Mackenzie), a young nurse and embryologist who teams up with scientist Robert Edwards (Norton) and surgeon Patrick Steptoe (Nighy) to pioneer in vitro fertilization (IVF) and solve the mystery of infertility. This beautifully crafted period drama celebrates the power of perseverance and the wonders of science as it follows this trio of unconventional visionaries who overcame incredible odds and opposition to make their dream a reality, and in so doing, inspire millions to dream along with them.
“I'm truly honoured that my debut film, Joy, will have its world premiere at this year's BFI London Film Festival,” Taylor said of today's announcement. “It's a little-known story of British scientific achievement and I think it's the perfect national celebration of these three maverick pioneers and their world-changing innovation in IVF.”
He added, “Joy is a very personal story for me, and I imagine it will be for many in the audience too. But beyond the personal story, I hope the film will resonate even more today, with issues of infertility and choice being thrust into the spotlight.”
The screenplay is by Jack Thorne. The story is by Rachel Mason and Thorne. Producers are Finola Dwyer and Amanda Posey. Cameron McCracken is executive producer.
The London Film Festival runs from Wednesday 9th October to Sunday 20th October.
