Madonna WE Film

W.E.

September 1, 2011 (Venice Film Festival)

Directed by Madonna
Screenplay by Alek Keshishian

A FILM BY MADONNA

Published with permission by Thinkjam/Studiocanal and Dutch FilmWorks

A special thank you to Dutch FilmWorks

Madonna’s W.E. is a beautifully crafted, passionate tale about the search for true love in the modern world, viewed through the prism of one of history’s most fabled romances. The year is 1998, and Manhattan is abuzz with anticipation about the upcoming auction of the estate of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. But the auction is far more than a diversion for Wally Winthrop (Abbie Cornish), a transplanted Southerner trapped in an unhappy and abusive marriage. Transfixed by the exquisite artifacts of the Windsors’ lives, Wally becomes obsessed with the love story of Wallis Simpson (Andrea Riseborough), the chic, charismatic American who captured the heart of King Edward VIII (James D’Arcy). As she learns more about the sacrifices Wallis made in choosing to be with Edward, Wally finds the courage to follow her own heart and create her own happiness.

 

Starring:
Abbie Cornish
Natalie Dormer
Andrea Riseborough
Oscar Isaac
James D’Arcy

 

  • W.E. was the second movie Madonna directed, Filth & Wisdom was her first
  • The screenplay was co-written by Alek Keshishian, who previously worked with Madonna on her Truth Or Dare documentary
  • Madonna won the ‘Best Original Song’ Golden Globe in 2012 for ‘Masterpiece’
  • She had hoped to premiere the film at Cannes in 2011, but since she was still putting the finishing touches to it, it never happened
  • The film screened at the Venice Film Festival on September 1, 2011 with Madonna and cast attending
  • In London the film was part of the BFI Film Festival in October 2011 with Madonna and part of the cast attending. After the movie Madonna participated in a Q&A on stage
  • In January 2012 Madonna was a guest at the Graham Norton show in London to talk about the movie, here she also dropped the name of her upcoming MDNA album
  • While in London she also attended the official UK premiere at the Odeon Cinema
  • In The Netherlands the film was distributed by Dutch FilmWorks. A private screening for press and invitees was organized on January 17, 2012 at The Movies in Amsterdam.‘Masterpiece’ was now added to the end credits, which was not the case during the previous screening at the BFI Festival in London
  • The first official design for the Dutch film poster by Dutch FilmWorks was rejected by Madonna (too dark), she approved the second design
  • Madonna was invited to attend the Dutch premiere for W.E. in Amsterdam, unfortunately her schedule wouldn’t allow it
  • On March 14, 2012 in Pathe Cinema De Munt in Amsterdam W.E. premiered, people were invited and a few selected tickets were available for general sale and a lottery

Credits go out to Thinkjam/Studiocanal/Dutch FilmWorks for permission to publish the press stills

A special thank you to Dutch FilmWorks for such a fantastic collaboration and film release

W.E. MADONNA

On the set of

W.E.

W.E.

BFI Screening London

W.E. BFI GALLERY 2011