Promoting Peace

Special Rotary screening for new Sam Mendes film

Special Rotary screening for new Sam Mendes film

The Sam Mendes’ war film, 1917, is due to be released in UK cinemas in January. Coincidentally, 1917 was also the year when Rotary’s charity, The Rotary Foundation was formed with peace as one of its core values. A special Rotary screening of the film is due to be held this month.

A special Rotary screening will be taking place in London later this month of the new Sam Mendes’ war film, 1917.

And ahead of the December 11th screening, the Rotary in Great Britain & Ireland website has been given access to the first featurette for 1917, showcasing Mendes’ exciting vision to tell the film’s engaging story in one continuous shot.

 

The featurette unveils insights from Sam Mendes himself, as well as screenwriter Krysty Wilson-Cairns, Roger Deakins and other key members of the cast and crew.

In the featurette, Sam Mendes reveals: “From the very beginning, I felt this movie should be told in real time. Every step of the journey, breathing every breath with these men felt integral.”

Legendary cinematographer, Roger Deakins added that this epic film, which will be released in UK cinemas in January, is not to be missed in cinemas: “Until you see it on a screen, you don’t realise how immersive it really is,” he said.

During the First World War, Rotary discovered new areas for serving communities – at home in war relief and in overseas emergency efforts.”

The film is already being touted as a contender for the Oscars next year, after early screenings to critics.

At the height of the First World War, two young British soldiers, Schofield (Captain Fantastic’s George MacKay) and Blake (Game of Thrones’ Dean-Charles Chapman) are given a seemingly impossible mission.

In a race against time, they must cross enemy territory and deliver a message that will stop a deadly attack on hundreds of soldiers— Blake’s own brother among them.

 

The Rotary screening will take place on Wednesday, December 11th in Warren Street in London.

Judy May, from publicists Kova PR, which is hosting the special screening, said she was delighted to be able to offer this unique opportunity.

“The Rotary link is that 1917 was the year that The Rotary Foundation was formed, and we know a lot of people will be talking about the film,” she said.

“The film is a bit of a history piece. The screening is exclusively for Rotary. This is a huge privilege and the only one that is being done dedicated to one organisation.”

1917

1917 followers two young British soldiers, Schofield (George MacKay, right) and Blake (Dean-Charles Chapman, left) who are given a seemingly impossible mission.

Eve Conway, former Rotary in Great Britain & Ireland President, added: “1917 was an historic year for Rotary because it was the year that our Rotary charity The Rotary Foundation was founded to ‘do good in the world’.

“I think this is relevant, providing a link to the film 1917 as Rotary wanted to make the world a better place and build peace towards the end of the First World War and afterwards.”

“The Rotary Foundation has spent $4 billion on life-changing, sustainable projects around the world, including supporting Rotary’s top goal of a polio-free world.

“The Rotary Foundation’s area of focus of peace is very relevant to the film.

“During the First World War, Rotary discovered new areas for serving communities – at home in war relief and in overseas emergency efforts.

“The first club chartered outside North America was London in 1911 and I understand that the Club was active during the war years.”