Pathé Announces 6th February 2015 European Release Date For Oscar Nominated Best Picture Film SELMA

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Image Courtesy of Feref Limited

If you, like I, love watching educational, historic films surrounding the topic of the US Civil Rights Movement then you will no doubt have read or even heard people in your circles highly anticipating the European Release date for SELMA, due to hit our cinemas up and down the UK on 6th February 2015. SELMA, for those not already familiar, documents the story of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s historic struggle around the same time my Grandmother’s generation came from the Caribbean to live in England to secure voting rights for African-Americans. 2015 also marks the 50th anniversary of this pivotal moment in the US Civil Rights Movement and this triumphant story of the power of the people…

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Image courtesy of Feref Limited

SELMA stars British actor David Oyelowo (Middle of Nowhere, The Butler, A Most Violent Year) as Martin Luther King Jr. and is directed by Golden Globe Nominee Ava DuVernay (Middle of Nowhere) , making her the FIRST EVER black female to be nominated for a Golden Globe since its establishment!

The supporting cast of SELMA features a stellar British line-up, including Tom Wilkinson (The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Michael Clayton) as President Lyndon B. Johnson, Tim Roth (Arbitrage, The Incredible Hulk) as Governor George Wallace and Carmen Ejogo (Alex Cross, Ride And Glory) as Coretta King; alongside Oprah Winfrey as Annie Lee Cooper.

The film tracks a dangerous and terrifying three month campaign led by Martin Luther King Jr. which culminated in the epic march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama. The campaign galvanized American public opinion and persuaded President Johnson to introduce the Voting Rights Act, protecting Africa-Americans’ right to vote.

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Image courtesy of Feref Limited

British screenwriter Paul Webb (Four Nights in Knaresborough) penned the screenplay for SELMA. The film is produced by Oprah Winfrey (The Hundred-Foot Journey, Beloved) through Harpo Films. Knowing that Oprah also produced The Great Debaters, another fantastic must watch based on the true story of Melvin B. Tolson, a professor at Wiley College Texas starring Denzel Washington for me, enhances the anticipation of watching this historic film.

British producer Christian Colson through Cloud Eight Films (127 Hours, Slumdog Millionaire), Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner for Brad Pitt’s company Plan B (12 Years A Slave),  Ava DuVernay, Paul Garnes, Cameron McCracken (for Pathé UK) and Nan Morales are executive producers.

The behind-the-scenes creative team includes cinematographer Bradford Young (Mother of George, Middle of Nowhere), production designer Mark Friedberg (Noah, The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Mildred Pierce), and costume designer Ruth E. Carter (Amistad, Malcolm X).

The film was shot in Atlanta, Georgia, Montgomery and Selma, Alabama.

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Image courtesy of Feref Limited

I am very fortunate to be attending one of the advanced screenings ahead of the 6th February European Release date for SELMA and will share my thoughts of the film right here before the 1st February 2015.

For those who cannot wait until then, you can watch the official trailer of SELMA below.

To be kept up-to-date with SELMA news and information, simply visit the Pathe website, SelmaFilmUK Facebook or by simply following PatheUK on Twitter.