Although few people have actually seen it, the Australia/US co-production Hotel Mumbai has already generated considerable acclaim.
News of tears and applause in an invite-only screening at the Cannes Film Market last month was just the latest bit of positive buzz surrounding the film, which is the debut feature of writer/director Anthony Maras. It stars Dev Patel, Armie Hammer and Tilda Cobham-Hervey.
Now, finally, we know when Hotel Mumbai will arrive on Australian shores. The film will have its Australian Premiere at the 2018 ADL Film Fest Opening Night Gala on Wednesday October 10. This will follow its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.
According to the official synopsis, Hotel Mumbai “tells the astonishing true story of the victims and survivors of the devastating attacks on Mumbai in 2008. A story which fearlessly tackles the defining global issues of our time. A story about ordinary people. Real people. People of all races, all colours, all creeds, binding together in a gruelling fight for survival. A story that celebrates humanity’s highest ideals – compassion, courage, resilience and an unwavering desire to live.”
The film commenced principal photography in 2016 and was due to arrive last year. However, the director and producers decided they needed more time to tweak it in post-production. The producers also successfully managed to free Hotel Mumbai from the ownership of Weinstein Co, after the very public fall of Harvey Weinstein.
Hotel Mumbai is expected to arrive in Australian cinemas nationwide in January 2019.
