A week before Spencer premieres at the 2021 Venice Film Festival (where it will screen on September 3), the first poster for the film has been released, offering another look at Kristen Stewart in the titular role.
Centring on Princess Diana (born Diana Frances Spencer), the film tells the story of a fateful long weekend at Sandringham over the 1991 Christmas holidays, leading up to her decision to end her marriage to Prince Charles.
“December, 1991: The Prince and Princess of Wales’ marriage has long since grown cold,” reads Neon’s official synopsis. “Though rumours of affairs and a divorce abound, peace is ordained for the Christmas festivities at Sandringham Estate. There’s eating and drinking, shooting and hunting. Diana knows the game. This year, things will be a whole lot different.”
In the new poster, however, Stewart is seen bowed (and seemingly weeping) into a sweeping white dress, thought to be based on the ornate “Diaghilev” gown created by her wedding dress designers, David and Elizabeth Emanuel, and worn on occasions such as a trip to the Royal Opera House.
Directed by Ema filmmaker Pablo Larraín, Spencer is written by Steven Knight and shot by Claire Mathon (the acclaimed cinematographer behind Atlantics and Portrait of a Lady on Fire). The score comes courtesy of Radiohead musician Jonny Greenwood.
Last year, Stewart spoke about the personal significance of playing the late princess, saying that she was “viscerally affected” by images of her funeral. “It’s one of the saddest stories to exist ever, and I don’t want to just play Diana – I want to know her implicitly,” she added. “I haven’t been this excited about playing a part, by the way, in so long.”
Following its Venice premiere, Spencer is set to hit cinemas in the UK, US, and Canada on November 5. Take a look at the new poster below.