National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage, Lok Virsa will screen The Queen -a 2006 British drama film here on 21 November depicting the British Royal Family’s response to the death of Diana, Princess of Wales.
The film was directed by Stephen Frears, written by Peter Morgan, and starred Helen Mirren in the title role of Queen Elizabeth II.
In the film, the royal family regards Diana’s death as a private affair and thus not to be treated as an official Royal death. This is in contrast with the views of Tony Blair and Diana’s ex-husband, Prince Charles, who favour the general public’s desire for an official expression of grief. Matters are further complicated by the media, royal protocol regarding Diana’s official status, and wider issues about Republicanism.
The film exceeded box-office expectations while Mirren won at least 29 major awards for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II.
In the 1997 general election, Tony Blair (Michael Sheen) becomes Britain’s Labour prime minister. However, the Queen (Helen Mirren) is wary of Blair and his pledge to modernise Britain, despite his promises to respect the royal family. Three months later, Diana, Princess of Wales dies in a car crash at the Alma Bridge tunnel in Paris. Blair’s director of communications, Alastair Campbell (Mark Bazeley), prepares a speech in which Diana is described as the people’s princess. The phrase catches on and millions of people across London display an outpouring of grief at Buckingham and Kensington Palaces.
The Mandwa film club of Lok Virsa was screening movies on every weekend to provide healthy entertainment to the fun lovers of the twin cities as well as revive the fading culture of classical cinema, said an official of Lok Virsa.
