The British Museum was a buzz last night for the BFI's exclusive reconstructed screening of Hitchcock's classic Blackmail sponsored by Ketel One Vodka.
The event marked the first BFI signature event of the summer consisting of an outside screening of the 1929 classic Blackmail with a live orchestra performance composed by Neil Brand and Timothy Brock.
The evening began with an elegantVIP drinks reception where film icons such as David Walliams, Miranda Richardson, Terry Gilliam, and Stephen Frears mingled amongst a decadent Italian inspired feast of charcuterie, cheese, and a variety of gherkins, olives, and focaccia,
Whilst sipping on the Ketel One Vodka cocktails, the gorgeous Miranda Richardson commented on her excitement about her current film Maleficent, a retelling of sleeping beauty that stars Angelina Jolie and Sam Riley “ All I can say is that it requires lots of makeup and long hours to transform into the role of Queen Ulla”
Monty Python’s Terry Gilliam and Stephen Frears were a comedy duo of sorts; both dressed in avant-garde attire consisting of a vibrant red scarf, kimono jacket, and flip-flop sandals.When asked about his thoughts on Hitchcock, Gilliam sarcastically retorted; “Well, he is fat and dead.”
The night really got interesting when David Walliams and his stunning wife Laura Stone arrived and immediately began mingling with the likes of Gary Kemp and the other A-listers in the crowd.They were off to Brighton early the next morning, but were eager to attend the exciting signature event before their romantic weekend escape.
There even appeared to be some business talk as David Walliams went up to Terry Gilliam and bluntly asked if he could be in his next film, commenting that he would “even do it for free.” Gilliam gladly accepted the offer and warned him that he would have to be willing to work with Johnny Depp and fly to Bucharest where it was going to be filmed.
The guests were then led out to the front lawn of the museum and joined by a 1000 other cinematic fans.
The highlight of the evening was when the entire audience was asked to put on Alfred Hitchcock mask and then captured by a photographer on the roof to create a once-in-a lifetime eerie, yet fascinating group shot; appropriately titled: The Hitch Mask Stung.
The British Museum certainty provided the perfect Hitchcockian setting, and as night fell, and shadows were cast, the film seemed to break the fourth wall and captivate the audience.
What they drank: Hitchcock inspired Ketel One Vodka cocktails: The Downhill: Ketel One Citroen, freshly squeezed lemon juice, sugar syrup/gomme, Egg white, Dash of bitters The Easy Virtue: Ketel One Citroen, fresh lemon juice, Elderflower cordial, and Prosecco
What they ate: Meat and cheese platter, paella with grilled prawns, trout on creamy risotto, edamame, mint, and peas salad over Greek yoghurt, rich chocolate brownies with orange zest.
For more information, please visit http://www.ketelone.com/agegate
