Ben A. Williams’ feature film debut The Pass will open the 30th BFI Flare: London LGBT Film Festival on Wednesday 16th March 2016 it has been announced.
Starring Russell Tovey (Looking) and Arinze Kene, the film is adapted for the screen by John Donnelly from his hit play first presented at the Royal Court Theatre. The film is produced by renowned British film producer Duncan Kenworthy (Four Weddings and a Funeral).
The Pass is the story of three very different nights over 10 years in the life of a Premier League Footballer. Jason (Tovey) is at the beginning of his career, and on the night before his first big international match he and long-time friend and team-mate Ade (Kene) share a hotel room, trying to beat the inevitable pre-match tensions with locker-room banter and teenage high-jinks. Out of nowhere Jason kisses Ade. The emotional repercussions of this pass, and the decisions that follow on and off the pitch, have a major impact on every aspect of the public and private lives of both men across the next decade.
The film also stars Nico Mirallegro and theatre and TV actress Lisa McGrillis. Tovey, McGrillis and Mirallegro all reprise the roles they originally performed on stage.
Clare Stewart, BFI Head of Festivals, said “Featuring compelling performances and a smart, punchy script, THE PASS boldly tackles a forbidden topic, outlining one man’s struggle to embrace his sexuality within the hyper masculine and very public world of professional football. We are excited to be launching the 30th edition of BFI Flare – a Festival that prides itself on a programme which captivates hearts, bodies and minds – with an impressive and very topical British directorial debut.”
The Pass will screen at the Odeon Leicester Square on Wednesday 16th March 2016.
