The 68th BFI London Film Festival has revealed that Piece by Piece, an innovative animated Lego biopic of Pharrell Williams, will close this year’s event on October 20, per variety.com.
The announcement comes on the heels of the festival’s decision to open with Steve McQueen’s World War II drama Blitz on October 9, creating a unique bookend to the prestigious cinematic gathering.
Directed by Oscar-winning documentarian Morgan Neville, Piece by Piece offers an unconventional look at the life and career of music icon Pharrell Williams.
The film, which will make its UK debut in London following its world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival, uses Lego animation to chronicle Williams’ journey from his roots in Virginia Beach to his rise as a prolific artiste and producer.
The creative decision to tell Williams’ story through Lego serves as a metaphor for the artiste’s innovative worldview. The film features an all-star cast including Jay-Z, Missy Elliott, Gwen Stefani, Busta Rhymes and Snoop Dogg, all rendered in Lego form.
Neville expressed his excitement about the film’s selection, noting his long-standing relationship with the festival.
“Bringing ‘Piece by Piece’ to the LFF means the world to me, and getting to be the closing night gala is the cherry on top of this huge honour,” he stated.
Kristy Matheson, London Film Festival director, praised the film’s inventive approach, describing it as “a film of enormous joy and invention” that matches the creativity of its subject.
- Featured image: ‘Piece by Piece’/Focus Features
