Simon Stone on ‘Elsinore’ at Telluride: Love, Theater and AIDS Era

The Telluride Moment

When the sun set over the Colorado mountains, the Telluride Film Festival became a stage for a quiet conversation about love, loss and artistic devotion. Simon Stone, the Irish‑born director behind the upcoming drama Elsinore, walked the red carpet with a calm confidence that belied the emotional weight of his film.

In a brief interview, Stone spoke about the festival’s reputation for nurturing daring stories. He noted that Telluride’s audience, known for its willingness to feel deeply, offered the perfect environment for a movie that intertwines the intimacy of theater with the historical urgency of the AIDS crisis.

A Film Born from Theater

Elsinore is not a conventional biopic. It is a love letter to the stage, a narrative that unfolds in a rehearsal space where actors grapple with personal histories while preparing for a production of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Stone, who began his career directing plays in Dublin, described the film as "a bridge between the immediacy of live performance and the permanence of cinema."

He explained that the decision to set the story in the late 1980s was intentional. The period marked a turning point for both theater and the LGBTQ+ community, as artists used the stage to process the growing epidemic.

Key Themes

• The transformative power of performance.
• Romantic and platonic bonds forged under pressure.
• The social and personal impact of the AIDS crisis.
• Art as a means of survival and resistance.

Depicting the AIDS Crisis with Sensitivity

Stone approached the subject of AIDS with a historian’s respect and a storyteller’s compassion. He consulted archives from the CDC history of AIDS to ensure factual accuracy, while also speaking with activists who lived through the era.

The film does not shy away from the pain of loss, yet it avoids melodrama. Stone described his goal as "showing the humanity that persisted even as the world seemed to collapse around us."

Production Stages

1. Research and script development, anchored in primary sources from the 1980s.
2. Workshopping scenes with actors in a rehearsal setting to capture authentic theatrical energy.
3. Filming on location in a restored theater that mirrors the aesthetic of late‑century Dublin stages.
4. Post‑production, where sound design blends audience murmurs with the quiet of hospital rooms.

Andrew Scott: A Collaboration in Service

At the heart of Elsinore is the performance of Andrew Scott, whose reputation for intensity and vulnerability made him an ideal fit for the role of the lead actor‑director. Stone described his work with Scott as "100 percent in the service of the character and the story."

Scott’s own reflections, shared on his official website, reveal a deep personal connection to the material. He noted that playing a character who navigates love and grief during the AIDS crisis felt like an act of remembrance for those who were lost.

Critical Reception and Audience Response

Early screenings at Telluride have generated a buzz that extends beyond the festival circuit. Critics from Variety praised the film’s layered narrative, calling it "a poignant exploration of art’s capacity to heal."

Audience members reported a mix of tears and laughter, echoing the festival’s reputation for emotional storytelling. The film’s ability to provoke conversation about the historical AIDS era while celebrating theatrical craft has been highlighted as its strongest asset.

What Lies Ahead for Elsinore

Following its Telluride premiere, Elsinore is slated for a limited release in major cities, with plans for a broader rollout later in the year. Distribution partners are positioning the film for awards consideration, citing its relevance and artistic merit.

Stone hinted at future projects that will continue to explore the intersection of theater and social history. He remains committed to telling stories that honor the past while resonating with contemporary audiences.

For those interested in learning more, the film’s page on IMDb provides additional details on cast, crew and release dates.