Mike Leigh's new film documents Peterloo Massacre

Cameras start rolling next week on Mike Leigh’s Peterloo

The next film from British filmmaker Mike Leigh, the celebrated director of Secrets & Lies, Naked and Another Year, will be Peterloo, which tells the story of the infamous 1819 massacre at a peaceful pro-democracy rally at St Peter's Field in Manchester, when many working people were injured and killed when the British cavalry charged the demonstration.

“There has never been a feature film about the Peterloo Massacre,” says Leigh. “The universal significance of this historic event becomes ever more relevant in our own turbulent times.”

The film reunites Leigh with many of his regular collaborators including cinematographer Dick Pope, editor Jon Gregory, production designer Suzie Davies, costume designer Jacqueline Durran, composer Gary Yershon and make-up and hair designer Christine Blundell. Shooting for the film begins next week, with a cast of over 100 actors assembled. The lead actors have not yet been revealed, but expect some familiar face from Leigh’s unofficial repertory group of regular players.

Peterloo will be Leigh's 21st feature film and fourth period feature, following the award-winning Topsy-Turvy, Vera Drake and most recently Mr Turner.