Misbehaviour star Keira Knightley says 1970 Miss World competition was ‘bigger than the World Cup’

Comedy-drama follows feminist activists who disrupt ceremony to ‘overthrow the patriarchy’

New film Misbehaviour, which stars Keira Knightley, might just change your way of thinking.

Set in 1970, the comedy-drama follows the events of that year’s Miss World competition, which was disrupted by a group of feminist activists who wanted to “overthrow the patriarchy”.

The film is told through the perspectives of members of the Women’s Liberation Movement, the Miss World contestants and the ceremony’s host, Bob Hope (here played by Greg Kinnear).

In an exclusive featurette, the film’s cast reflect upon the importance of the event, which came as the movement began to affect great change to women’s rights throughout the world.

“It was bigger than the World Cup – it was bigger than the Olympics,” Knightley says, with co-star Jessie Buckley adding: “In the 1970s, women weren’t allowed to dream beyond making a cupcake.”

Knightley says that placing the spotlight on such an event will “make you question what you think” regardles of “who you agree or sympathise with”.

For Gugu Mbatha-Raw, who plays Jennifer Hosten – the first woman of colour to win Miss World – it was important for the film to have a crew comprised of women.

“[It has] female writers [Gaby Chiappe, Rebecca Fray]), a female director [Philippa Lowthorpe], all female producers [Suzanne Mackie, Sarah-Jane Wheale] – the female gaze is so strong in this film,” she said.

Misbehaviour arrives in UK cinemas on 13 March.