The Upcoming
  • Culture
    • Art
    • Cinema & Tv
      • Movie reviews
      • Film festivals
      • Shows
    • Food & Drinks
      • News & Features
      • Restaurant & bar reviews
      • Interviews & Recipes
    • Literature
    • Music
      • Live music
    • Theatre
  • Fashion & Lifestyle
    • Accessories
    • Beauty
    • News & Features
    • Shopping & Trends
    • Tips & How-tos
    • Fashion weeks
  • What’s On
    • Art exhibitions
    • Theatre shows
  • Tickets
  • Join us
    • Editorial unit
    • Our writers
    • Join the team
    • Join the mailing list
    • Support us
    • Contact us
  • Interviews
  • Competitions
  • Special events
    • Film festivals
      • Berlin
      • Tribeca
      • Sundance London
      • Cannes
      • Locarno
      • Venice
      • London
      • Toronto
    • Fashion weeks
      • London Fashion Week
      • New York Fashion Week
      • Milan Fashion Week
      • Paris Fashion Week
      • Haute Couture
      • London Fashion Week Men’s
  • Facebook

  • Twitter

  • Instagram

  • YouTube

  • RSS

CultureLondon Film Festival 2014

London Film Festival 2014: Testament of Youth premiere – a chat with the cast on the red carpet

London Film Festival 2014: Testament of Youth premiere – a chat with the cast on the red carpet
15 October 2014
Chaneen Salako
Avatar
Chaneen Salako
15 October 2014

Testament of Youth is a deeply soul searching film: it has hope, love and loss at the core of its existence. This new release documents the life of Vera Brittain, a girl at the time of World War I, who suffered many losses throughout her life, that of her family, friends, lovers and, most tragically, her youth.

Directed by James Kent and produced by David Heyman and Rosie Alison this documentary style film stars Kit Harrington, Dominic West, Emily Watson, Colin Morgan, Jonathan Bailey and Taron Egerton, who, according to producer Rosie Alison, are all profoundly talented."Testament Of Youth" - Photocall - 58th BFI London Film Festival

The Upcoming got the chance to speak to James Kent, Rosie Alison and Jonathan Bailey on the world premiere red carpet for the film. 

James, do you think there is a lesson to be learned from this movie?

JK: I think the great lesson of this film is: young people, never trust your elders. They are not as wise as you think they are. And that’s part of the story of this film.

Rosie, in producing A Testament of Youth, what were your inspirations?

RA: Gosh, my inspiration was that I’ve always loved film, but one wants a film that really has a meaning and touches the heart and soul as well as the mind. This is a film that incorporates an extraordinary powerful journey of a person, and it’s also got nature in there and poetry and love. It has a bigger portrait of the human condition. 

How did you feel researching for this film and reading the original memoirs, diaries and letters?

RA: I was overwhelmed by them because I read them in adolescence and she (Vera) has always been a part of my life really. One you read through her works she sort of stays with you. So when I heard that the BBC were doing Testament interviews I immediately got in touch and made a serious pitch to do it.

Do you feel as though the film is a success?

RA: I am very happy, I think it is beautiful and has integrity. It definitely has very profound things to say. 

Jonathan, are you excited to be here in London?

JB: To be involved in the BFI is on thing, but to come here and to meet all these people is extraordinary and them we still get to see the film. Yeah I’m excited.

"Testament Of Youth" - Photocall - 58th BFI London Film FestivalAre you happy with the result of Testament of Youth?
JB: I am extraordinarily happy to be a part of it – the script was amazing and everyone was brilliant.

Can you see something of yourself in the main character, Roland?

JB: Well he’s a poet, he’s a romantic. I mean, I can write a haiku (laughs). He’s amazing, he’s strong and I aspire to be like Roland, but whether I am I don’t know.

Have you read the original memoirs, diaries and letters?

Yeah, it’s the first thing to do. I bought a copy of the memoir when I met James, Rosie and David. And now, what I lament having read that: this generation everyone’s on Twitter, everyone’s using email, there is no legacy to pass on. But it is incredible, the remains of the correspondence between these people. We are lucky that Vera was so talented in her writing.

Chaneen Salako

Testament of Youth is released nationwide on 16th January 2015.

Related Itemsinterviewkit harringtonred carpettestament of youth

More in Cinema & Tv

Judas and the Black Messiah

James Humphrey
Read More

Biggie: I Got a Story to Tell

★★★★★
Jake Cudsi
Read More

The United States Vs Billie Holiday

★★★★★
BP Flanagan
Read More

Blush: An interview with director Debra Eisenstadt

Sarah Bradbury
Read More

Baby Done: An interview with lead actor Rose Matafeo

Sarah Bradbury
Read More

The Sinners

★★★★★
Emma Kiely
Read More

What Lies Below

★★★★★
Mersa Auda
Read More

Wrong Turn

★★★★★
Musanna Ahmed
Read More

Ginny & Georgia

★★★★★
Emma Kiely
Read More
Scroll for more
Tap
  • Popular

  • Latest

  • TOP PICKS

  • Smith & Burrows – Only Smith & Burrows Is Good Enough
    ★★★★★
    Album review
  • Celebrate Margarita Day at home with these simple yet sophisticated cocktails
    Food & Drinks
  • Creation Stories
    ★★★★★
    Film festivals
  • The Trial of the Chicago 7
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
  • Wrong Turn
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
  • In the Shadows
    ★★★★★
    Film festivals
  • Laura Mvula – Under a Pink Moon
    ★★★★★
    Live music
  • Typical at Soho Theatre
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • Judas and the Black Messiah
    Movie review
  • Detroit Stories – Alice Cooper
    Album review
  • Typical at Soho Theatre
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • Detroit Stories – Alice Cooper
    Album review
  • Minari
    ★★★★★
    Film festivals
  • West End Musical Drive In Online
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • Hymn at the Almeida Theatre Online
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
The Upcoming
Pages
  • Contact us
  • Join mailing list
  • Join us
  • Our London food map
  • Our writers
  • Support us
  • What, when, why

Copyright © 2011-2020 FL Media

ArchWay With Words 2014: Will Self
Barnum at the New Wimbledon | Theatre review