PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release 1 September 2006
The Queen is Coming to New Zealand
Stephen Frears’ portrait of the British royal family, THE QUEEN, starring Dame Helen Mirren, will open at New Zealand
cinemas on Boxing Day 2006.
The film is an intimate, frankly revealing and often acidly funny portrait of the British royal family during the
dramatic days after the death of Princess Diana.
“The film provides a fascinating behind-the-scenes look into the royal family's distanced and initially puzzling
response to Princess Diana's death,” said Miramax president Daniel Battsek, in a statement, adding “Helen Mirren gives a
stunning performance leading an exceptional cast.”
Helen Mirren plays HRM Queen Elizabeth II. Mirren recently won an Emmy for her role as Elizabeth I in the 2005
miniseries drama of the same name. She is well known for her BAFTA and Emmy winning role as Detective Jane Tennison on
TV crime programme Prime Suspects.
Joining Mirren are James Cromwell as Prince Philip, Michael Sheen as British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and Sylvia Syms
as the Queen Mother. The film was written by award-winner Peter Morgan and is produced by Andy Harries, Christine
Langan, and Tracey Seaward, and executive produced by Francois Ivernel, Cameron McCracken, and Scott Rudin. THE QUEEN is
directed by Stephen Frears (Mrs Henderson Presents).
THE QUEEN will open the 2006 New York Film Festival on September 29th. The festival has been described as the most
famous and prestigious international film festival in the USA.
“We're delighted to welcome Stephen Frears and Scott Rudin back to the New York Film Festival, and to have THE QUEEN as
our Opening Night,” said Richard Pena, Chairman of the Festival's Selection Committee. “Frears and screenwriter Peter
Morgan have fashioned an excitingly complex and colourful look at the machinations of political power in the media age.”
Icon Film Distribution, in association with Hoyts Distribution NZ, will release THE QUEEN in New Zealand cinemas on 26
December 2006.
ENDS