LFF - Opening night gala screening

And Ralph Fiennes nearly misses the premiere of his own film

Oct 20 2005

The 49th London Film Festival hit town yesterday, with a gala screening of political thriller 'The Constant Gardener'.

And although director Fernando Meirelles, author John le Carré and star Rachel Weisz were all in attendance, the event nearly ended in disaster when leading man Ralph Fiennes was delayed on a transatlantic flight.

A car whisked the actor from the airport direct to the Odeon Leicester Square, however, and a visibly crumpled Fiennes had just enough time to bound up on stage and say hello before the film began.

And what a film it is. Set in northern Kenya, 'The Constant Gardener' follows diplomat Justin Quayle's efforts to discover what caused the death of his activist wife.

Along the way, Quayle manages to fall in love with his late wife all over again, while at the same time discovering just how far a fictional pharmaceutical company will go to sell it's wares.

'The Constant Gardener' proves that Meirelles debut feature 'City of God' was no fluke, and features career best performances from Fiennes and Weisz.

After the screening, the celebrity audience (plus a member of Duran Duran) debunked to the Park Lane Hotel to talk up the film, drink too much champagne and discuss what looks to be a fantastic festival.

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