BFI London to End with Boyle & Franco's Mountain Survival Story "127 Hours"

An image from Danny Boyle's "127 Hours."

Danny Boyle's "127 Hours" will close out the 54th BFI London Film Festival on Thursday October 28, the event unveiled Friday. The film, Boyle's last since his Academy Award-winning "Slumdog Millionaire," recounts the true story of Aron Ralston (James Franco), a mountain climber who must fight to stay alive after a boulder crushes his arm in a secluded Utah canyon. Braving the elements, Ralston must make his way to rescue on his own. The London screening will be the film's European premiere, after debuting at Toronto.

"Having closed the festival with 'Slumdog Millionaire' in 2008, it is unprecedented for us to choose a Closing Night film from the same director only two years later. But '127 Hours' was the obvious choice for us - with filmmaking as bold and adventurous as its subject matter, it confirms Danny Boyle as one of the World's finest and most visionary directors, and will be a very fitting close to the festival," commented BFI London Artistic Director Sandra Hebron in a statement. "I am honoured and delighted that '127 Hours' has been selected to close the BFI London Film Festival. LFF played a vital role in the journey of 'Slumdog Millionaire' in 2008 and it's great to be bringing new work here and renewing a happy partnership. I can't wait to unveil the new film and I hope it provides a worthy climax to what will hopefully be two weeks of great movies for our city."

The full program for the fest, which begins October 13, will be unveiled September 8. "127 Hours" will bookend the festival with Mark Romanek's "Never Let Me Go" was previously announced as the festival's opener.