Ancestors film premieres at TIFF, exploring 1980s London

David Turpin’s feature debut, ‘Ancestors’, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). Set in 1980s London during the height of the HIV-AIDS crisis, the film follows Beau (Éanna Hardwicke), an Irish immigrant seeking community and freedom in the city.

The narrative explores themes of love, loss, and gay legacy through Beau’s search for a friend named Tiny. The story blurs the lines between reality and fantasy, incorporating dream sequences and connections to the older generation that fought for social change. The cast includes Jessica Reynolds, Jack Wolfe, Rupert Everett, and Christina Hendricks.

Director David Turpin noted that the film aims to address the absence of elders felt by younger generations. To aid character immersion, Turpin provided the cast with cassette Walkmans to listen to period-specific music. Mister Smith Entertainment is managing international sales for the film.