Paul Greengrass says it is a 'great honour' to have his film open the BFI London Film Festival.
Captain Phillips opened the festival on Wednesday night as Greengrass' new film received its European premiere.
The move is based on a remarkable true story and sees Greengrass team up with actor Tom Hanks for the first time.
Speaking at the London Film Festival press conference for the film the director said: "From my point of view, it is a great honour and a privilege. I love the festival. I think it is an important festival, and it is growing in importance. I think we tend to underestimate its importance.
"What I think is so great about this festival - unlike other festivals - it takes place in a city where a lot of movies are made: that distinguishes it in a very powerful way. I don’t think that is said often enough.
"It is a major international festival in a major international film making centre, and a major domestic filmmaking centre and that gives it a great deal of vibrancy."
Captain Phillips marks the return of Greengrass to the director's chair for the first time since Green Zone back in 2010.
Captain Phillips will be hitting the big screen 19th October. Read our Captain Phillips review.
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