Thaindian News

Toronto, Sep 12 (IANS) “Creation”, a British film based on Charles Darwin’s book “On the Origin of Species”, opened the 34th Toronto International Film Festival at a glittering gala in the heart of the city.
The real-life couple Paul Bettany and Jennifer Connolly, who play Darwin and his wife Emma in the film, were on hand to share their experiences while making the film on the epic book that was published in 1859.

The film shows a young and bearded Darwin, conservative at heart, struck with the revolutionary idea of the book that puts him at odds with God and the Christian worldview that human life began with Adam and Eve, and did not evolve from lower species.

This revolutionary idea also brings his married life under strain because of his deeply religious wife Emma.

“Creation” depicts Darwin’s dilemma superbly as he cannot dismiss the idea in his head which will challenge God, but he also fears offending God, the Church and his wife.

Finally, his wife doesn’t come in the way.

Amid all this, Darwin comes across as a great lover, a good husband and a doting father. He cares deeply about his staunchly religious wife.

He takes time off from his study cluttered with books, scientific instruments and dead species to have fun with his young children, who question him about nature and evolution.

Speaking at the premiere, Paul Bettany said: “He was a conservative heart who had a revolutionary idea and could not dismiss it.”

About playing the Darwin couple with his wife, he said: “It was a little nerve-wracking because when you come home after a long day, you can’t and moan about the leading actress if she is your wife.”

For her part, Connolly said: “It felt really special all the time. We were privileged that we were able work together.”

“I felt so happy even on a very superficial level to be able to go to work with my husband every day and, you know, sit down next to him in the trailer and put our makeup on together.”

The festival, which runs till Sep 19, will feature more than 300 films from 16 countries.

For the first time, two Bollywood films - “Dil Bole Hadippa” and “What’s your Rashee?” are having their world premieres at the festival.