Ben Wheatley-helmed action thriller ‘Free Fire’ chosen to close the London Film Festival

Ben Wheatley’s period action thriller “Free Fire” has been selected as the closing night gala film for the 60th BFI London Film Festival, with the occasion also marking the movie’s European debut.

Brie Larson stars in ‘Free Fire.’
© AFP PHOTO/Robyn Beck

Set in late 1970s Boston, the film boasts Martin Scorsese as its executive producer, with an all-star cast, including Oscar-winning actress Brie Larson, in addition to Cillian Murphy, Michael Smiley, Armie Hammer, Sharlto Copley, Jack Reynor and Sam Riley.

The film begins with a meeting between two two Irishmen and a gang led by Vernon (Copley) and Ord (Hammer) who are selling them a stash of guns in a deserted warehouse; during the handover, a shootout ensues and the scene quickly transforms into a game of survival.

LFF opens with Amma Asante’s “A United Kingdom” on October 5 and will run through to October 16, with the full film lineup to be unveiled on September 1. “Free Fire” screens in London on October 16.