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Feature: London's Trafalgar Square to be transformed into giant open-air cinema

Xinhua, February 16, 2017 Adjust font size:

It's London's famous public gathering point, celebrating the end of wars, political and protest rallies and great sporting achievements.

Later this month the Trafalgar square is to be transformed into London's biggest cinema, for one day only.

The Oscar-nominated film The Salesman, directed by award-winning Iranian director Asghar Farhadi, is to be screened in Trafalgar Square on Feb.26, the same day as the 89th Oscar Academy Awards Ceremony in Los Angeles.

The screening of the gripping drama just hours before the Oscars are handed in the United States, will mark the British premiere of the film.

Before the screening, stars of London's film industry will address an audience of up to 10,000 people in Trafalgar Square.

A spokesman for the Mayor of London's office said: "This free event celebrates the capital's diversity and demonstrates that London is open to creative talent as well as people from all countries and all communities."

London Mayor Sadiq Khan is organising the screening, along with actress Lily Cole, producer Kate Wilson, and film-maker Mark Donne, to coincide with the Oscars to celebrate the capital's success as a creative hub and a global beacon for openness and diversity.

Khan said: "On the night of the Oscars, it's absolutely fantastic to be able to screen the UK premiere of The Salesman in Trafalgar Square. I'm delighted to welcome people from across the capital and beyond to share in this celebration of London as an international hub of creativity and as a beacon of diversity."

Director of The Salesman, Asghar Farhadi, said: "Screening The Salesman in Trafalgar Square has a great symbolic value for me. The gathering of the audience around The Salesman in this famous London square is a symbol of unity against the division and separation of people."

"I offer my warmest thanks to the mayor of London and the cinema community for this generous initiative. I welcome and appreciate this invaluable show of solidarity," he added.

The Salesman, stars Shahab Hosseini and Taraneh Alidoosti in the lead roles of Emad and Rana. This critically-acclaimed film won Best Screenplay at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival with Shahab Hosseini winning Best Actor.

It has been nominated in the Best Foreign Film category in the 89th Academy Awards. Endit