It has been announced that The Harder They Fall, the new film from Jeymes Samuel, will open the 65th BFI London Film Festival which takes place in October. The film, from Netflix, will be the festival’s Opening Night Gala this year on Wednesday 6 October at LFF gala venue the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall, with Samuel expected to attend along with key cast.
When outlaw Nat Love (Majors) discovers that his enemy Rufus Buck (Elba) is being released from prison, he rounds up his gang to track Rufus down and seek revenge. Those riding with him in this assured, righteously new school Western includes his former love Stagecoach Mary, his right- and left-hand men — hot-tempered Bill Pickett and fast drawing Jim Beckwourth – and a surprising adversary-turned-ally. Rufus Buck has his own fearsome crew, including “Treacherous” Trudy Smith and Cherokee Bill, and they are not a group that knows how to lose.
Written by Jeymes Samuel and Boaz Yakin produced by Shawn Carter, James Lassiter, Lawrence Bender and Samuel, the film features an original soundtrack album produced by Samuel and executive produced by Carter, and a stunning all-star cast, including Jonathan Majors, Zazie Beetz, Delroy Lindo, LaKeith Stanfield, Danielle Deadwyler, Edi Gathegi, R.J. Cyler, Damon Wayans Jr. and Deon Cole with Regina King and Idris Elba.
Samuel, said: “It’s a great honour that THE HARDER THEY FALL will have its World Premiere opening the 65th BFI London Film Festival. Growing up in the UK, the Festival has always been the highlight of my year and I couldn’t have imagined anything better than to have my debut film included in this year’s line-up.”
The 65th BFI London Film Festival in partnership with American Express takes place from Wednesday 6 October – Sunday 17October, 2021. The LFF Programme Launch will take place on Tuesday 7 September, 2021.
