Though he might not be a marquee name,Terence Davieshas quietly grown a revered oeuvre over the course of the past forty-plus years, particularly withacclaimed titleslikeThe House of Mirth,The Deep Blue Sea,Sunset Song, and,most recently, 2016’sA Quiet Passion. Now, the English writer-director will return withBenediction, his latest film, which centers on the lyrical life ofSiegfried Sassoon, one of the leading poets of the First World War who inspired the world with his moving words but was forced to hold the secret of his homosexuality for generations to follow. StarringJack LowdenandPeter Capaldias the younger and elder versions of the tortured artist,Benedictionwas hailed as another triumph from the outstanding storyteller when it premiered duringlast year’sToronto International Film Festival, and it continues to impress audiences as it makes its way into theaters and other festivals around the globe. Now, it’s slated to premiere in front of screens nationwide starting June 3rd, and we have our first look at the forthcoming WWI poet biopic, courtesy of the trailer found below.
As the film’s synopsis notes,Benedictionwill follow “a complex man who survived the horrors of fighting in the First World War” and later “decorated for his bravery on the battlefield” as the soon-to-be-famous poet became “a vocal critic of the government’s continuation of the war” when he returned from service. Adored by members of the aristocracy and literary titans alike, Sassoon became a public face, as well as a leading voice, in the public’s awareness of the hardships of war — though, through a series of affairs with many high-profile men, the poet had to quietly contend and “come to terms with his homosexuality.”
At once shaken by the war and unable to publicly express his true self, Sasson’s life story turned into a haunting journey in a “quest for salvation,” particularly as he continued to wrestle with unrest in the later years of his life.
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Though Davies' previous films don’t shy away from LGBTQ+ themes,Benedictionhas been hailedas his queerest film, showcasinghis signature sensitivity and great witto paint a story both beautiful and tragic about one of Britain’s most revered voices. The resulting film is hailed asan affecting and elegant moviethat could very well be remembered as one of the director’s finest works, which is saying something. The trailer does highlight the sweeping grandeur and gentle yearning of our main character’s internal struggle and silent heartbreak, and it’s not difficult to see whyBenedictionhas been praised as such a powerful, devastating feature.
Benedictionpremieres in theaters nationwide starting June 3rd. Watch the trailer below.
