Emerald Fennell's 'Saltburn' to open BFI London Film Festival

Barry Keoghan stars in "Saltburn," a new film from Emerald Fennell that will open the BFI London Film Festival. File Photo by Rune Hellestad/UPI
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Aug. 7 (UPI) -- The British Film Institute has selected Emerald Fennell's Saltburn to open the 2023 BFI London Film Festival.

The film, a new drama written, directed and produced by Fennell and starring Barry Keoghan and Jacob Elordi, will have its world premiere Oct. 4 at Southbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall.

Saltburn is described as "a beautifully wicked tale of privilege and desire." The movie takes place in the mid-2000s and follows Oliver Quick (Keoghan), a student struggling to find his place at Oxford University.

Oliver finds himself "drawn into the world of the charming and aristocratic Felix Catton (Elordi), who invites him to Saltburn, his eccentric family's sprawling estate, for a summer never to be forgotten," an official synopsis reads.

Rosamund Pike, Richard E. Grant, Alison Oliver, Archie Madekwe and Carey Mulligan also star.

Rosamund Pike attends the Golden Globe Awards in 2019. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
Rosamund Pike attends the Golden Globe Awards in 2019. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
Carey Mulligan attends the Film Independent Spirit Awards in 2019. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
Carey Mulligan attends the Film Independent Spirit Awards in 2019. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI

"I'm honoured that our film is able to open this year's BFI London Film Festival," Fennell said in a statement. "It is a festival that inspired me so much growing up, one that I followed excitedly from my bedroom on the other side of London. It feels extra-special that Saltburn, this very British tale of excess, is able to make its international debut at the wonderful BFI."

Saltburn is produced by Amazon Studios and MGM. The film opens in theaters Nov. 24.

Barry Keoghan attends the Golden Globe Awards in January. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
Barry Keoghan attends the Golden Globe Awards in January. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI

This year's BFI London Film Festival will run Oct. 4 to 15.

Fennell is best known for writing, directing and producing the 2020 film Promising Young Woman. As an actress, she most recently played Camilla Parker Bowles in The Crown Seasons 3 and 4.