Judi Dench knows the weight of carrying the crown, having played Queen Victoria twenty years ago in John Madden‘s “Mrs. Brown.” Now, the Oscar winning actress is back on the throne to play the royal role again in “Victoria And Abdul,” and awards season chatter is already buzzing about her performance. And today we have an exclusive clip from the film.
Directed by Stephen Frears, who previously worked with Dench on “Philomena,” “Mrs. Henderson Presents,” and “Saigon: Year Of The Cat,” the film co-stars Ali Fazal, and follows the unlikely friendship that forms between the Queen and a young Indian clerk, much to the dismay of those around the monarch. Here’s the official synopsis:
The extraordinary true story of an unexpected friendship in the later years of Queen Victoria’s (Judi Dench) remarkable rule.
When Abdul Karim (Ali Fazal), a young clerk, travels from India to participate in the Queen’s Golden Jubilee, he is surprised to find favor with the Queen herself. As the Queen questions the constrictions of her long-held position, the two forge an unlikely and devoted alliance with a loyalty to one another that her household and inner circle all attempt to destroy.
As the friendship deepens, the Queen begins to see a changing world through new eyes and joyfully reclaims her humanity.
Featuring an excellent ensemble cast including Eddie Izzard, Adeel Akhtar, Tim Pigott-Smith, Olivia Williams, Fenella Woolgar, Paul Higgins, Robin Soans, Julian Wadham, Simon Callow, and Michael Gambon, “Victoria and Abdul” screens at Venice and TIFF, and opens in cinemas on September 22nd.