He was known for his comic roles in the Hindi and Marathi film industry
entertainment1 day ago
Biographical drama Joy, which premiered at the London Film Festival on Tuesday, depicts the decade-long efforts of three British medics and scientists to develop the technique of in vitro fertilisation (IVF).
The movie centres on the lesser-known story of nurse and embryologist Jean Purdy, played by Thomasin McKenzie, who joins physiologist Robert Edwards (James Norton) and gynaecologist Patrick Steptoe (Bill Nighy) on their quest to treat infertility.
The ups and downs of their trials and lab work are shown in detail and the film, which spans from the late 1960s to the late 70s, also delves into the toll the negative public perception of the venture took on their private lives.
"It's a huge responsibility to tell Jean's story and also just to tell the story of IVF because it's had such a massive impact on the world," McKenzie said of portraying Purdy, whose contributions went unrecognised for a long time.
"Jean Purdy was, as is traditional, airbrushed out of the whole affair," added Nighy. "So, the fact that this places her in the middle of the story, is a big part of its appeal for me."
Joy marks the feature film directorial debut for Ben Taylor, whose background is in television. Its subject matter hit close to home for Taylor and screenwriters, real-life couple Rachel Mason and Jack Thorne.
"It's a really personal story, because we've got IVF babies," said Taylor. "I just feel this enormous sense of gratitude towards these three people. I think for anyone that has ever been touched by infertility or IVF or knows somebody that has, it's a lot to watch because it's a very emotional subject."
Louise Joy Brown, the first human to be conceived by the trio's procedure, who was born in 1978, also attended Tuesday's premiere.
"Without them, those three, I wouldn't be here, nor would 12 million of us. So, it's not just a few of us, there are quite a few now," she said.
Joy starts streaming on Netflix on November 22.
ALSO READ:
He was known for his comic roles in the Hindi and Marathi film industry
entertainment1 day ago
The lawsuits were filed by anonymous plaintiffs, including one man who accuses Combs of assaulting him when he was a minor
entertainment1 day ago
Shadu of Supergirls fame talks Bollywood ambitions and the role of tech in her industry
entertainment1 day ago
A look at stars who walked the runway
entertainment1 day ago
It will have 15 themed rooms to discover and take pictures of
entertainment2 days ago
Pre-sale tickets to be available for those registered from today
entertainment2 days ago
Siddique was shot dead by unidentified attackers in Mumbai on Saturday
entertainment2 days ago
Actress shares photo of last long eyelash
entertainment2 days ago