Dame Judi Dench says latest film about old age pays tribute to NHS staff

msn.com:

Dame Judi Dench has said her upcoming film Allelujah speaks to the “debt we owe” NHS staff. The veteran actress, 87, stars in the story about surviving old age alongside Absolutely Fabulous star Jennifer Saunders and Harry Potter’s David Bradley.

Based on the stage play by Alan Bennett and written by Call The Midwife screenwriter Heidi Thomas, the film was directed by Sir Richard Eyre.

Dame Judi and Sir Richard arrived together at the movie’s European premiere at the BFI London Film Festival on Sunday. Sir Richard told the PA news agency: “It’s really important because the film is about old age, how we all look after old people, whether they be parents or grandparents, and how the country looks after the health of the National Health Service. ”Dame Judi, who plays Mary Moss in the film, added: “And the debt we owe them (NHS staff) too for doing it. ”Speaking about her reasons for becoming involved in the project, Dame Judi told PA: “Richard was my reason.

And Alan (Bennett)…there were a lot of friends in it which is always very nice, a great luxury when you’re filming to have a few mates around. “Being friends, being with somebody who you admire who you work with, having the luxury of all being together, you don’t have to go through that process of getting to know somebody, we already knew each other so it was a great ease. ”The Allelujah Family are all here!