Rupert Everett writes, directs, and stars in his moving debut feature, detailing the final three years (1897–1900) in the life of Oscar Wilde. Rich in period detail and eschewing the familiar narrative of the writer's notorious trial and imprisonment on charges of indecency, this seldom-told story recounts Wilde's life following his release from incarceration—a period encompassing some of his most profound writing and most intimate experiences.

Sequestered at a remote seaside hotel in France by faithful friends (played by Edwin Thomas and Colin Firth), a buoyant Wilde is soon restlessly traversing Europe under assumed names, beset by familiar, warring impulses: to reunite with his estranged wife (a radiant Emily Watson) or his former lover Sir Alfred "Bosie" Douglas (Colin Morgan), whose former provocations brought Wilde to ruin. Fading health, dwindling funds, and still more betrayals await Wilde, who relentlessly seeks love and creative outlets in whatever taverns and alleyways still welcome him. It’s here that Everett particularly shines, evoking the spirit of the once-celebrated fallen genius who finds divine light even in the darkest corners of life. 

AWARDS

2018 | Best Production, Bavarian Film Award

2018 | Nominee, Best Feature, Teddy Award, Berlinale

2018 | Nominee, Best Costume Design, German Film Awards 

To round off the festival in style, Side by Side is honoured to have Rupert Everett. One of the very few openly gay actors, Ruperet Everett will be presenting to the audience his film The Happy Prince where he played the leading role of Oscar Wilde and is the director of the film.

“My fascination with Oscar Wilde began when I was six years old and my mother read me ‘The Happy Prince’ at night in bed. I remember it very well. I was enraptured by the story and inconsolable by the end. Coming from a military family with a distinctly pre-Freudian world view – it was probably the first time I heard about Love and suffering and that there was a terrible price to be paid for it. ‘The Happy Prince’ was a turning point. 

In 1975 I moved to London. It is difficult to imagine now but it had only been legal to be gay for seven years and the police – making the most of the ambiguity in the 1967 law – continued to raid and arrest people for homosexual acts in public, so there was a real feeling that we were stepping in Oscar’s freshly trodden footprints." 

PRESENTER: ŇIMUR ALIEV – Chief Editor of CINEMAFLOOD