The long-anticipated film from Sandman legends Dave McKean and Neil Gaiman, Mirrormask, screened tonight. Following years of accolade in graphic novels, McKean's visionary imaginings made their natural progression to the screen, with a script by long-time collaborator Gaiman.
However, rather than go all wobbly about seeing his work on screen, McKean was just glad the process was over: "I'm glad I survived. It was all done on a shoe-string so we couldn't buy ourselves out of trouble!" The responsibility of directing a team was a shock after working alone: "If I’m at home and I draws something rubbish, I can throw it away and no-one need know. This is on the screen in front of everybody and there’s no running away from it. Showing something to an audience is brutal, absolutely brutal. It’s not like that with a book at all, it’s a very private thing with a book, if someone doesn’t like it, they just put it down."
Rob Brydon, who stars as a circus owner in the film, was keen on the kids aspect. "It's like Wizard of Oz because there's that physical resemblance between characters which I liked. You want to do something that fills children with joy, that isn't the usual dross that gets made."
Stephanie Leonidas, who plays his daughter Helena, the main focus of the film, agreed: "I’m really proud of (Mirrormask) for being one of my first films. I’m a massive fan of Tim Burton and little bits of Mirrormask really remind me of his work, the darkness of it. I was really pleased to do something like that." Read more from Stephanie, and co-star Jason Barry in Red Carpet.
Later, and John Hurt and Hugh Dancy sauntered ("prowled!") along the red carpet on the way to watch their film Shooting Dogs, based on the story of a priest and a teacher who find themselves caught up in the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Hurt explained why they chose to act in the film: "If the intentions were correct, as we believe they were, I don’t think it’s something you can refuse. It goes beyond the call of duty if you see what I mean, beyond any pleasure in your career. It’s more than that. If you get the opportunity, I think you should, if only to remind our glorious race how feeble we can be."
Check our Red Carpet section for an interview with Hugh Dancy. Photos from both screenings will be posted on the site later.