The 57th BFI London Film Festival will take place between the 9th and 20th October, it will show "235 feature films and 134 short films from 57 countries around the world", according to the BFI. The two time academy award winner, Tom Hanks will star in both the opening and closing movies.

Tom Hanks as Captain Phillips
Ton Hanks portaying Captain Phillips in the upcoming thriller

The festivals opener 'Captain Phillips', is a thriller based on true events that occurred aboard the Maersk Alabama which was hijacked by Somali pirates in 2009. The multi-layered film engages with the complexity of globalisation - the main focus being on the relationship between the two captains as Hanks portrays Captain Richard Phillips, who was taken hostage by the pirates who ransomed for his life.

The British director Paul Greengrass spoke with FilmIinc Daily about the concept of the film, "What I've tried to do is provide a compelling two hours that the audience will want to share and set this exciting story in the context of a quickly globalizing world. Ultimately, what drives these two sea captains together is this globalization". He also commented on working with Tom, "He gives an incredibly powerful, brilliant, performance about an ordinary man facing the most intense peril".

Watch the 'Captain Phillips' trailer here

The closing film at the festival is a completely different role for Hanks as he plays Walt Disney in the biographical movie 'Saving Mr Banks'. For the first time ever the 'untold story' of 'Mary Poppins' emergence on the big screen is revealed. Starring alongside Hanks is Britain's Emma Thompson who portrays the author of Mary Poppins, P.L Travers. The ensemble cast also includes Colin Farrell, Paul Giamatti and B.J. Novak. Arguably a very appropriate movie to close the festival with.

Other films to look out for are 'Gravity' which stars George Clooney and Sandra Bullock in a sci fi thriller, 'Under the Skin' which is a unique look into our world through the eyes of an alien, starring Scarlett Johansson and Steve McQueen's '12 Years a Slave' which has already received rave review starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Chiwetel Ejiofor, which we have featured.  

Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson
Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson starring in 'Saving Mr Banks'