The Times BFI 51st London Film Festival is delighted to announce that this year’s Festival will open on Wednesday 17th October with David Cronenberg’s EASTERN PROMISES.

The London set thriller, written by Steven Knight (DIRTY PRETTY THINGS), reunites multi-award winning director David Cronenberg with his HISTORY OF VIOLENCE leading man, Viggo Mortensen, and also stars Naomi Watts, Vincent Cassel and Armin Mueller-Stahl.

The plot centres on the mysterious and ruthless Nikolai (Mortensen), who is tied to one of London’s most notorious organised Russian crime families. A harrowing chain of murder, deceit and retribution is put in motion when he crosses paths with Anna (Watts), an innocent midwife, trying to right a wrong she accidentally uncovers…

EASTERN PROMISES is produced by Paul Webster and Robert Lantos, co-produced by Tracey Seaward, and executive produced by Stephen Garret, David Thompson, Jeff Abberley and Julia Blackman.
Pathé will release the film in the UK on 26th October 2007.

Sandra Hebron, the Festival’s Artistic Director comments: “It’s hugely exciting that a director who has consistently thrilled and challenged us throughout his career has made a film in our city. This gripping, powerfully directed and acted story of lives colliding in contemporary London is the perfect opener for our Festival.”

David Cronenberg adds: "I’m thrilled to be returning to the scene of the crime. Eastern Promises is the first film I’ve ever shot entirely away from my home in Canada, and it makes perfect sense that it is set in London, home of so many of my most potent film influences. I can’t wait to be there!"