My Duchess directed by Mike Newell and starring Joan Collins and Isobella Rossillini opened the Russell Hobbs British Film Festival at the Palace Cinema, Moore Park.
Before the screening we were able to enjoy delightful British fare from Angelwood Pies, live music from string duo Aquila, sparkling, red and wine or mocktail, a delicious sticky toffee pudding of Russell Hobbs and many cinema snacks. Plus, each guest received a special Russell Hobbs festival gift bag with many goodies inside it.
The British Consul General and Deputy Trade Commissioner for Australia and New Zealand, Anna Louise Shotbolt, officially opened the festival with a lovely speech.
We were shown many of the highlighted trailers of other films shown throughout the festival, such as the special presentation film Ink, the centrepiece premiere film Prima Farcie and the closing night film Elsinore. There are so many exciting films to see throughout the festival that runs until December 6th.
The Palace Cinema in Moore Park is a very enchanting venue with extremely spacious and comfortable lounge seating; there really isn’t a bad seat in the house. The staff there are very kind and helpful.
The film My Duchess charts the final years of Wallis Simpson, the American divorcee who became the Duchess of Windsor after marrying the former King Edward VIII, the British King who chose love over duty. It starts off as a typical biopic but quickly grips you into an insane phycological thriller. It is based on true events
The film starts shortly after former King Edward VIII has died and Wallis Simpson is trying to find her way of life after such a tragedy. Luckily, she has a lot of support from close friends and many devoted staff.
Wallis is out late one evening with friend, Jean-Claude de Montalbon, and is papped giving charity to some local sex workers. Wallis employs lawyer, Suzanne Blum, to catch the photographer and get rid of the negatives. After that is completed, they talk about doing other business together. Blum is instantly enraptured by Wallis, but Wallis can’t stand her.
Slowly but surely Blum takes every step to take control of all of Wallis’s financial and legal affairs. Unfortunately, Wallis’s health starts to decline, and Blum uses this to isolate her from her friends and the loyal staff she has. It gets far worse and a surprise ending but I don’t want to spoil the film for those who plan to see it.
Joan Collins got the idea for this film about 30 years ago when she met the former King Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson’s former valet, Sydney Johnson, at the Hotel Ritz Paris. She has stated, “I’ve always been fascinated by Wallis, because I think she was unfairly treated.”
This determination proves good things come to those who wait. At 91 years old she delivers a career defining performance. For someone who is known for glitz and glamour, that is very much removed as the film goes on. The true fear portrayed in the later parts of the film make you catch your breath. Isobella Rossillini’s portrayal of the sinister Blum is scary. Her drive for power and control is not to be reckoned with. The rest of the supporting cast are fabulously cast and the performances of Buom Tihngang, Laurent Lafitte and Roxane Duran deserve a special mention.
The pace of the film is well timed and has you gripping the edge of your seat. This is well worth seeing on the big screen as every frame is fabulously shot.
To book tickets to My Duchess, please visit https://britishfilmfestival.com.au/films/bff26-my-duchess.