After premiering A Private War at the Toronto Film Festival, Aviron brought stars Rosamund Pike and Jamie Dornan together for a panel to discuss the legacy of famous war correspondent Marie Colvin (played by Pike in the film), who was killed in 2012 after illegally crossing the Syrian border into the city of Homs with photographer Paul Conroy (played by Jamie Dornan). Asked what attracted her to the role, Pike answered, “I think it’s a combination of things. Marie was a woman who I greatly admired, but I also thought it would be a story that other people, if they didn’t know her already, would find inspiring. Precisely because there’s the trope of the fearless war reporter, but here [in this story] is someone who is not fearless, who has tremendous fear, but also has tremendous belief and goes through that fear in the name of the cause she believes in.” She continued, “When I heard that Matthew Heineman was going to direct it, I thought, ‘Well, this seems perfect,’ because I’m sure he’s someone who would have made a documentary about Marie had she lived, and I thought, ‘He’s going to be fearless. Or at least he is going to be ruthless in his examination of the subject matter. He’s not going to shirk from a very real portrait of both Marie and Paul and the war zones that they were covering.’” Vianney Le Caer/Shutterstock Dornan felt a similar affinity with the material. “I think anyone who read the script and knew a little bit about that world would have felt very compelled to be a part of spreading the word,” he said. “I feel like a big part of doing this film is to shed further light on the magnitude of what these people put themselves through to tell the truth of what’s happening in these war-torn places. [Rosamund and I] definitely both done films like this before, where it’s just sort of entertainment and it provides some service, but then sometimes it goes a bit deeper than that, and you feel that opening people’s eyes to a certain cause, or a certain movement, can be a very good thing. And this was one of those.” Just as it did for Pike, having Heineman as director sealed the deal for Dornan. “I think Matthew’s main focus, like most documentary makers, is to tell the truth,” he said, “and that isn’t always the case in film, so it’s a really refreshing element to bring in. Since 2012, when Marie was killed, half a million civilians have died in Syria, and it’s not getting any better. We’re sort of closed off to it. So having someone who wanted to honour the truth of that, rather than glamorize it or make it some sort of Hollywood version of what’s going on, was perfect.”<doc-sep>Get email updates with the day's biggest stories Invalid Email Something went wrong, please try again later. Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice The story of A Private War is one very few have experienced, or could even conceive of doing so, but the staggering performance of Rosamund Pike makes it one anyone can relate to, if they have ever felt so impassioned about a cause they were willing to put all they have on the line. Marie Colvin, an American journalist who wrote for The Telegraph, then The Sunday Times, is unlike many others who have gone before her. She was a war journalist, thrusting herself onto the front line of countless scenes of destruction and despair to tell the stories of the real people who were caught in the crossfire. Matthew Heineman’s biopic, based on an article published about her life, and with assistance from her regular photography collaborator in the field, Paul Conroy (Jamie Dornan) shows exactly as the title might suggest: Marie’s private war against the affects of the horrors she faced so valiantly as she continues to break convention to find the heart of conflicts across the world. Rosamund Pike is absolutely scene-stealing in her role, captivating the audience with a steely gaze, which has terror blazing behind it as Marie tries to keep herself together, using alcohol and sometimes men to do it. (Image: Aviron Pictures) But the director does not shy away from showing the true horrors these war zones showed Marie, showing that while Marie’s own struggles were constant and devastating, the torment of those suffering propelled her to continue to capture the essence of what they were going through in her work, knowing that no war could be worse than the ones she’d seen. The action is gripping as Marie and Paul are seen dodging bullets, speaking to weeping mothers and witnessing children dying in grotty hospitals, reminding the audience of how many of these atrocities are still occupying headlines today. As Marie sought to do in her work, the film humanises deadly wars and conflicts, while also perfectly humanising the woman herself, with lingering shots on her face as she attempts to study the varying emotions in her mind at once. While the idea of a biopic about a journalist may not appeal to many, A Private War does something spectacularly different with the genre which keeps the audience on the edge of their seats, while feeling guilt, pain and the struggle felt by Marie. A Private War was shown at the BFI London Film Festival 2018, and is released in UK cinemas on February 15.<doc-sep>She plays the late American war correspondent Marie Colvin in the gritty new drama, A Private War. But Rosamund Pike looked worlds away from her onscreen role as she attended the biographical film's European premiere and Mayor of London gala screening on Saturday. The British beauty, 39, exuded gothic glamour in a skintight bodysuit and sheer maxiskirt as she stormed the red carpet during the 62nd BFI London Film Festival. Stunning: Rosamund Pike exuded gothic glamour in a skintight bodysuit and sheer maxi skirt as she attended the A Private War screening in London The Gone Girl actress certainly took centre-stage in her skirt, which drew the eye with its floor-sweeping hem and delicate laser-cut floral appliqué. Sticking to a monochrome palette, Rosamund cinched in her tiny waist with a wide patent black belt. Slicking her golden tresses back into a sleek chignon, she injected a dose of colour with a vampy slick of burgundy lipstick and subtle mascara. Looking good: The Gone Girl actress certainly took centre-stage in her skirt, which drew the eye with its floor-sweeping hem and delicate laser-cut floral appliqué Having a whale of a time: The critically acclaimed actress appeared to be in great spirits on the night Glamorous: Slicking her golden tresses back into a sleek chignon, she injected a dose of colour with a vampy slick of burgundy lipstick and subtle mascara Chic: Sticking to a monochrome palette, Rosamund cinched in her tiny waist with a wide patent black belt Unrecognisable: She plays the late American war correspondent Marie Colvin in the gritty new drama, A Private War (pictured in character) Focusing on the last decade of Marie Colvin's life, A Private War takes audiences to the frontlines of fighting in Sri Lanka, Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya and Syria. Colvin, reporting for Britain's Sunday Times, was killed in Syria in 2012. Based on an article about Colvin in Vanity Fair, the film for which Pike wears a patch to cover the eye the journalist lost in a blast in Sri Lanka in 2001, follows her evading gunfire and digging for the truth as well as the effects her war zone trips had on her personally. 'I just thought "My gosh, this is a woman who would be a joy to kind of get people to see"... this complicated, ferocious, driven, ambitious, vulnerable, romantic soul and put that out on screen,' Pike told Reuters. Horror: Rosamund's chracter Colvin, reporting for Britain's Sunday Times, was killed in Syria in 2012 Tough role: Based on an article about Colvin in Vanity Fair, the film for which Pike wears a patch to cover the eye the journalist lost in a blast in Sri Lanka in 2001, follows her evading gunfire and digging for the truth as well as the effects her war zone trips had on her personally Impressed: Of the role, Pike said: 'I just thought "My gosh, this is a woman who would be a joy to kind of get people to see"... this complicated, ferocious, driven, ambitious, vulnerable, romantic soul and put that out on screen' Impressed: She added: 'Because... oh yes is she a role model, but a role model in a real way' Double trouble: Rosamund later posed with her co-star, Fifty Shades of Grey actor Jamie Dornan Come here, you! Rosamund greeted the hunk with a hug and a kiss on the cheek She added: 'Because... oh yes is she a role model, but a role model in a real way.' Fifty Shades of Grey star Jamie Dornan plays photographer Paul Conroy, who accompanied Colvin on trips and was with her when she died in Homs while covering the Syrian conflict. 'It gives you a far more sort of heightened respect for the people who go to these places and try to report the actual truth of what's happening,' Dornan said. Conroy, who worked as the set photographer for the film, said the actors had caught 'the essence' of his relationship with Colvin. Here he is! He plays photographer Paul Conroy, who accompanied Colvin on trips and was with her when she died in Homs while covering the Syrian conflict in A Private War Getting on famously: The co-stars laughed and joked around on the red carpet Gritty: Focusing on the last decade of Marie Colvin's life, A Private War takes audiences to the frontlines of fighting in Sri Lanka, Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya and Syria Cute couple: Jamie was supported by his stunning wife Amelia Warner, 36 Love is in the air: The couple recently announced they were expecting their third child Together: Supporting her husband of five-years, Amelia looked stunning in a regal navy dress which flowed over her concealed baby bump Parents: And while Jamie admits there are times he and Amelia get 'frustrated' at each other, they never let it become an issue Glam: She showed off her wild side with a pair of feisty leopard print heels and kept her brunette tresses in chic waves Cute couple: The pair already have two children, four year old Dulcie and two year old Elva Happy times: Jamie recently opened up about being a dad, saying it was an amazing experience '(Colvin) was a force of nature... It was like peeling an onion back, she just kept going further and further and further in... until we were at what she considered the heart of it,' Conroy said. The film is directed by Oscar-nominated documentary maker Matthew Heineman, whose past works include covering activists grouping together against Islamic State in Syria. 'In this world of sort of fake news and with journalism under attack... I think it's both a homage to Marie (and also) a homage to journalism and the importance of journalism,' he said. Candid: Rosamund recently revealed that her transformation for the role meant 'changing everything', and even having to learn how to smoke Honest: During an appearance on The Graham Norton Show to air on Friday night, the Gone Girl star said: 'I had to change everything - my hair, my teeth, my eyes, my walk and I had to learn to smoke' Opening up: She added: 'Gosh, that was hard, but now I'm quite a good smoker! It's probably a bit of a dated skill now everyone is vaping!' To be a fly on the wall: Rosamund burst out laughing at one point while chatting to Jamie and A Private War director Matthew Heineman Suited and booted: Jamie cut a dapper figure in a sharply tailored three-piece suit The man of the hour: He showed off his trademark designer stubble and carefully coiffed locks Shine on: Gugu Mbatha-Raw dazzled in a purple metallic slip Emilia Wickstead dress with an embellished plunging neckline, which she accessorised with Alinka jewellery Heineman said he wanted to make the film, shot in Jordan for the war zone scenes, as 'authentic as possible' and cast Syrian refugees who tell their stories. 'We spent a tonne of time researching every single detail, looking at every image we could to try to recreate these war zones but a huge part of that were the people we put on screen,' he said. 'Most of the extras were non-actors, refugees from those countries who are living in Jordan... They are telling their real stories... Ultimately it created a real heightened sense of emotion on set.' Check him out! Stanley Tucci, 57, looked suave in a checked suit and patent brogues But first, let me take a selfie! The actor happily posed for photos with fans Friends in high places: Rosamund and Jamie posed alongside the Mayor of London, Sadiq Kan Icon: The film is directed by Oscar-nominated documentary maker Matthew Heineman, whose past works include covering activists grouping together against Islamic State in Syria<doc-sep>
LONDON (Reuters) - Award-winning American war reporter Marie Colvin was known for her dispatches from some of the world’s most brutal conflicts. Now a new film starring “Gone Girl” actress Rosamund Pike tells her story about being fearless on the battlefront. Focusing on the last decade of her life, “A Private War” takes audiences to the frontlines of fighting in Sri Lanka, Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya and Syria. Colvin, reporting for Britain’s Sunday Times, was killed in Syria in 2012. Based on an article about Colvin in Vanity Fair, the film for which Pike wears a patch to cover the eye the journalist lost in a blast in Sri Lanka in 2001, follows her evading gunfire and digging for the truth as well as the effects her war zone trips had on her personally. “I just thought ‘My gosh, this is a woman who would be a joy to kind of get people to see’... this complicated, ferocious, driven, ambitious, vulnerable, romantic soul and put that out on screen,” Pike told Reuters. “Because... oh yes is she a role model, but a role model in a real way.” “Fifty Shades of Grey” star Jamie Dornan plays photographer Paul Conroy, who accompanied Colvin on trips and was with her when she died in Homs while covering the Syrian conflict. “It gives you a far more sort of heightened respect for the people who go to these places and try to report the actual truth of what’s happening,” Dornan said. Conroy, who worked as the set photographer for the film, said the actors had caught “the essence” of his relationship with Colvin. Slideshow ( 4 images ) “(Colvin) was a force of nature... It was like peeling an onion back, she just kept going further and further and further in... until we were at what she considered the heart of it,” Conroy said. The film is directed by Oscar-nominated documentary maker Matthew Heineman, whose past works include covering activists grouping together against Islamic State in Syria. “In this world of sort of fake news and with journalism under attack... I think it’s both a homage to Marie (and also) a homage to journalism and the importance of journalism,” he said. Heineman said he wanted to make the film, shot in Jordan for the war zone scenes, as “authentic as possible” and cast Syrian refugees who tell their stories. “We spent a tonne of time researching every single detail, looking at every image we could to try to recreate these war zones but a huge part of that were the people we put on screen,” he said. “Most of the extras were non-actors, refugees from those countries who are living in Jordan... They are telling their real stories... Ultimately it created a real heightened sense of emotion on set.”