By Maria Esteves – September 30, 2013

The 51st New York Film Festival (NYFF51) Opening Night World Premiere of CAPTAIN PHILLIPS, directed by Paul Greengrass commenced Friday, September 27, 2013 at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center. Industry executives, celebrity guests, festival members, cast and crew attended the world premiere.

CAPTAIN PHILLIPS, a real life psychological thriller based upon the book A Captain's Duty: Somali Pirates, Navy SEALS, and Dangerous Days at Sea, by Captain Richard Phillips with Stephan Tatty. The film depicts the 2009 hijacking of an unarmed United States container ship, the Maersk Alabama by Somali pirates 145 miles off the African coast of Somali. Shot 75 percent in the Mediterranean sea of Malta with the collaboration of Maersk Line and the U.S. Navy, this emotional rollercoaster authentically captures the incredible confrontation between U.S. Captain Phillips (Tom Hanks) and Somali pirate Muse (Barkhad Abdi). Greengrass’s very human and intense film is about survival of the fittest as you reach the end of yourself and the truth that lies within.

CAPTAIN PHILLIPS, directed by Paul Greengrass | Columbia Pictures | USA | 2013 | 134 min | 2013 New York Film Festival World Premiere; In U.S. theaters Friday, October 11, 2013. View Trailer

NYFF51 CAPTAIN PHILLIPS Press Conference: Director
Paul Greengrass, CAPTAIN PHILLIPS.

NYFF51 CAPTAIN PHILLIPS Press Conference: (L-R) NYFF Director of
Programming/Selection Committee Chair Kent Jones, Film Society of
Lincoln Center, with two-time Oscar winner actor Tom Hanks and actor
Barkhad Abdi, CAPTAIN PHILLIPS.

NYFF51 CAPTAIN PHILLIPS Press Conference: (L-R) Two-time Oscar
winner actor Tom Hanks, actor Barkhad Abdi, and director Paul
Greengrass, CAPTAIN PHILLIPS.

NYFF51 CAPTAIN PHILLIPS Press Conference: Actors Tom Hanks
and actor Barkhad Abdi, CAPTAIN PHILLIPS.