Meryl Streep defends feminist credentials as Suffragette opens London film festival

Planned protest and controversy over untactful tie-in t-shirts are backdrop for gala screening of film telling story of the campaign to secure women the vote

Related: Suffragette review - a valuable, vital film about how human rights are won

It has taken a decade to get off the ground, but as Suffragette received its UK premiere as the opening film of the London film festival, the film's director revealed that she was determined not to be knocked off course in her quest to make her 10-year "passion project". "A film is never easy," said Sarah Gavron, "but this was a tough proposition because we wanted to stick to our guns. We pushed through all the obstacles."