Thursday 15 March 2018
Guernsey will be rolling out the red carpet for leading actress Lily James on Thursday 12th April, when she travels to the island for a special premiere of her latest film, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.
The black tie event, hosted at Beau Sejour and facilitated and funded by the States of Guernsey, will celebrate the island that inspired both the bestselling book, written by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows and the forthcoming big screen adaptation, directed by award winning filmmaker Mike Newell, who will also be in attendance.
Both the book and film shine a light on the largely untold story of Guernsey's occupation by the Germans in WWII, a historic and defining moment in the island's history.
The special event, organised by the Arts Foundation Guernsey on behalf of the Committee for Education, Sport & Culture and supported by the Guernsey Arts Commission and States of Guernsey, will give islanders the chance to see the much anticipated film, ahead of its UK release in cinemas on April 20th. The event will also act as a fundraiser for the Arts Foundation Guernsey.
In addition to director Mike Newell (Four Weddings and a Funeral) and lead actress Lily James (Darkest Hour, Cinderella), actor Glen Powell (Hidden Figures) who also stars in the film will travel to Guernsey for the premiere, along with Producers Paula Mazur, Mitchell Kaplan and Graham Broadbent, plus screenwriter Thomas Bezucha. Liz Froneberger, daughter of Mary Ann Shaffer will attend on behalf of her late mother, as will co-author and niece of Mary Ann Shaffer, Annie Barrows.
The film's director, Mike Newell commented:
"It has always been important to us that we find a way to celebrate Guernsey, ahead of the film's cinema release, as of course the island, its people and its fascinating history are the very inspiration for Mary Ann Shaffer's novel and in turn, our film. The people of Guernsey were very helpful with all of our research as we worked to bring this story to the big screen and we couldn't be more grateful for their support. It is only right that residents will have the opportunity to see it in advance at these special events and what's more, that we will be there to celebrate with them in person."
Mike Hopkins, Director of Marketing and Tourism - States of Guernsey said:
"VisitGuernsey and STUDIOCANAL have been discussing the opportunity to hold a Guernsey based film premiere, bringing key cast members to Guernsey, for the past six months. The now confirmed attendance of Lily James and other cast members together with director Mike Newell, at the Guernsey film premiere to be hosted by the Arts Foundation, is fabulous news.
VisitGuernsey's working relationship with STUDIOCANAL's marketing and production teams has been an extremely positive one and we would like to thank them for the huge amount of effort and commitment they have all shown in helping us make this exciting event happen.
It is a rare occasion that Guernsey has the chance to host such internationally recognised talent and the island will be welcoming Lily and the other cast and crew members with the warm hospitality it is renowned for."
Melissa Mourton, co-founder of The Arts Foundation Guernsey, said:
"The Foundation, in conjunction with Specsavers, is delighted to welcome the actors to Guernsey and to host the premiere parties to raise funds for the arts in Guernsey."
Connie Helyar-Wilkinson co- founder of the Arts Foundation Guernsey and a local person born in Guernsey, said:
"We on behalf of all our sponsors, and especially Specsavers, are delighted to welcome such talented actors to our tiny island. We are so grateful to the producers for keeping the name Guernsey in the title and for helping us raise much needed funds for the Arts in Guernsey".
Directed by Mike Newell (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire) and based on the best-selling and much loved novel by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows, THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL PIE SOCIETY sees Lily James (Downtown Abbey, Cinderella) play free-spirited writer Juliet Ashton, who forms a life-changing bond with the delightful and eccentric Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, when she decides to write about the book club they formed during the occupation of Guernsey in WWII. The film also stars Michiel Huisman (The Age of Adaline), Glen Powell (Everybody Wants Some, Hidden Figures), Matthew Goode (The Imitation Game, Downton Abbey), Jessica Brown Findlay (Victor Frankenstein, Downton Abbey) and Katherine Parkinson (The IT Crowd, The Boat That Rocked) with Tom Courtenay (45 Years, Doctor Zhivago) and Penelope Wilton (The BFG, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel).
The events and screenings are made possible by grant funding from the States of Guernsey and sponsorship by Specsavers.
Lottery tickets for the chance to win two tickets to the black tie premiere event on April 12th, as well as tickets to the second night premiere on April 13th are available at £10 each, with all of the profits going to the Arts Foundation Guernsey. Tickets, which are available from the Guernsey Information Centre, are expected to sell out quickly. Enquiries can be made by emailing artsmovieevents@gmail.com
