Boyle's zombie film set for gala premiere in city

OSCAR-WINNING director Danny Boyle will be back in Newcastle within days for a gala screening of 28 Years Later.

- BARBARA HODGSON

News that his latest movie is to have a special preview showing in the region it was made has just been announced and is welcomed as shining a spotlight on the North East.

Boyle's eagerly awaited zombie chiller, which employed hundreds of local people as extras during last year's lengthy shoot focused mainly around Northumberland, will be shown at Tyneside Cinema in the city on June 19, the day before its nationwide release.

It means that the local audience - to include locals who appear in the film - will be among the first to see what's already being tipped as an Oscar contender.

Boyle, who was hands-on in the extras selection process, will be accompanied at the screening by Alfie Williams, a Newcastle actor who makes his feature film debut in 28 Years, which co-stars Jodie Comer, Ralph Fiennes and Aaron Taylor-Johnson and is a follow-up to the director's 2002 hit 28 Days Later.

Also in the cast are Charlie Hunnam, who is originally from the region, and Jack O'Connell.

As previously reported, a local call-out to fill supporting roles was inundated with people eager to take part.