John Lennon bio-pic “Nowhere Boy” to open Nashville Film Festival

Biopic about a young John Lennon will kick off 41st edition of longest-running film festival in the South

NASHVILLE, TN: Nowhere Boy, a biopic exploring the childhood of a creative, spirited and curious John Lennon growing up in post-war Liverpool, will officially kick off the Nashville Film Festival (NaFF) when it takes place April 15-22 at Regal Green Hills Cinema.

Directed by Sam Taylor-Wood in her feature-film debut, the film stars the Oscar-nominated Kristin Scott Thomas (The English Patient, Gosford Park, Four Weddings and Funeral), as Lennon’s Aunt Mimi, and Aaron Johnson as the young Lennon. The film has already picked up significant acclaim in Great Britain, including several nominations for London Critics Circle Awards, British Independent Film Awards and BAFTA Awards.  It had its International Premiere in January at the Sundance Film Festival.

“What better way to kick off eight days of storytelling, creativity, collaboration and music than with a film celebrating the young life of one of the greatest artists in history of popular music,” said Sallie Mayne, executive director NaFF. “It sets the bar high. We’re excited to bring Nashville this film and the hundreds of other outstanding works we’ll be announcing next week.”  According to artistic director Brian Owens, entries to the Festival reached a new level this year, with 2,216 feature-length and short films from 82 countries. A complete schedule of films, events and panels will be announced next week.

Aaron Johnson as John lennon

Nowhere Boy, produced by the Weinstein Company, brings to life Lennon as a spirited teenager — curious, sharp and funny — growing up in the war shattered city of Liverpool in dreary post-war Britain. Two extraordinary sisters tussle for his love: Mimi, the formidable aunt who raised him from the age of five and Julia, the spirited mother who gave him up to Mimi’s care. Yearning for a normal family, John escapes into art and the new music flooding in from the United States. His fledgling genius finds a kindred spirit in the young Paul McCartney. But just as Lennon’s new life begins, the truth about his past leads to a tragedy he would never escape.

Patron level memberships that include an All-Festival Pass, an invitation to the 2010 NaFF Patrons Party and priority seating at the Festival, can be purchased now at Individual tickets for the 2010 Nashville Film Festival will go on sale online in early April.

The Nashville Film Festival is the longest-running film festival in the South. NaFF also ranks among the most prestigious, continually garnering accolades and notice from a wide range of entertainment and trade publications. Between 2003 and 2009, NaFF attendance numbers doubled, capped off with a staggering 26% increase in festival goers between 2006 and 2007. In 2009, nearly 23,000 film lovers, entertainment professionals and industry insiders from all over the world made the trek to NaFF, enjoying 258 films from 48 countries, incisive industry panels, music showcases and spirited party mixers. Among the diverse group of celebrities who have attended NaFF in the past either as film presenters, award recipients or film fans are William Shatner, Hal Holbrook, Vincent D’Onofrio, Sheryl Crow, William H. Macy, Vincent D’Onofrio, Patricia Neal, Rob Thomas, Giancarlo Esposito, Ray McKinnon, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Walton Goggins, Craig Brewer, Harmony Korine, Al Gore, Nicole Kidman, Kiefer Sutherland, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Peter Falk, Paul Reiser, Patrick Swayze, Rick Schroder, John Waters, Matthew McConaughey, Robert Redford, Harry Belafonte, Oprah Winfrey, Michael Moore, Kevin Smith, Barbara Kopple, and D.A. Pennebaker.