The cast of the influential Madchester biopic, 24 Hour Party People, reunited for a special anniversary screening in Manchester on Tuesday, October 6. The event marked the start of Manchester's music and media industry conference, Beyond The City.
The 2002 comedy-drama chronicles Manchester's music scene from the late 1970s to the early 1990s, focusing on Factory Records founder Tony Wilson, played by Steve Coogan. Coogan, director Michael Winterbottom, and producer Andrew Eaton participated in a Q&A session following the screening. They were joined on the red carpet by co-stars Christopher Eccleston, Paul Popplewell, Kieran O’Brien, John Thomson, and Happy Mondays' Rowetta, who portrayed herself in the film.
Tony Wilson's son, Oli, is the organiser behind the Beyond The City event. Director Michael Winterbottom noted that many actors were drawn to "24 Hour Party People" due to their love for the music, imagining themselves as part of the bands.
A fully remastered 4K version of "24 Hour Party People" is scheduled to be released in UK and Ireland cinemas this Friday, October 9, following 100 free independent cinema screenings this week. It will then be available digitally and on 4K UHD disc from October 26.