As I delve deeper into the captivating world of Alicia Vikander and her transformative role as Katherine Parr in “The Wife Between Us,” it is evident that this project resonated with her on a profound level. The set, teeming with life and vitality, was reminiscent of Karim’s preferred working atmosphere – a testament to the magic that envelops a well-crafted film set.
Firebrand is in cinemas now. Add it to your watchlist.
Over the years, the story of King Henry VIII has been brought to life by a great number of dramatists – from Shakespeare to the Carry On crew – but until now, one chapter of his life has been relatively overlooked: the very end.
Though tales of Anne Boleyn and Jane Seymour are frequently recounted, the life and era of his sixth and last wife Katherine Parr have not received as much attention. However, this could soon change due to the release of the new movie Firebrand, now in UK theaters. This film stars Alicia Vikander, an Academy Award-winning actress from Sweden, who portrays the central character (alongside Jude Law’s captivating performance as Henry VIII).
The movie is helmed by the Brazilian director Karim Aïnouz, and it was his participation that sparked Vikander’s curiosity, as she shared during an exclusive interview with RT. “I was quite intrigued to see what this mix would turn out like,” she stated. “Given his approach to a very British historical event, with his vibrant, Brazilian, Latin personality – both in himself and his films.
A shared outsider status with Aïnouz made her feel connected to the project, and this commonality was a key topic during their initial conversations. Despite their mutual eagerness to delve deep into research to bridge any knowledge gaps, Vikander speculates that the film might have had a different outcome if it were created by British creatives instead.
She mentions that what was being discussed earlier was initially part of our initial dialogue, during which we both acknowledged our limited knowledge. However, it’s clear that we were deeply committed to conducting thorough research and studying this historical event thoroughly before telling its story accurately – or at least, having a good understanding of the history so we could make informed decisions when making the film.
If Swedish history had been a significant part of my childhood education, I might have felt a burden or an unspoken duty to handle history in a particular manner due to its deep connection with me.
Not having that also provided us with a unique perspective, possibly leading us onto an alternate route as we created our movie.
The movie undeniably leads viewers through intriguing journeys, deviating from known history multiple times during its duration. A particularly unique portrayal of events can be found in the final scene (without revealing spoilers), making one wonder about Vikander’s thoughts on these creative decisions.
She remarks that it was intriguing as those segments and pivotal scenes within the movie where the narrative delves into abstract concepts are themselves areas lacking historical confirmation about exactly what transpired.
What strikes me as incredible is this: if an event occurred 500 years ago, the history books we read or the people we encounter who seem so knowledgeable about that era, you soon discover that they’re all drawing from specific facts. Even professional historians must engage in some degree of creative interpretation.
Beyond Ainouz’s participation, one of the major attractions for Vikander to the project was having Jude Law cast as Henry VIII. She considers him an “exceptional performer,” and immediately felt he would bring something fresh and remarkable to the role.
Additionally, this experience brought back memories for her of portraying Kitty in the 2012 film version of Anna Karenina directed by Joe Wright, where she acted alongside Law who played Alexei Alexandrovich Karenin.
Throughout the years, I’ve had fleeting encounters with him, yet those moments were truly special. They evoke fond memories from our time working together, which I cherish to this day.
I found myself in the same space as him and Keira Knightley, two actors whom I hadn’t expected to meet, and we had an extended rehearsal phase. To my surprise, they were incredibly professional and kind individuals.
They noticed individuals who were unfamiliar within the space, an occurrence that may not be etched in their memory, yet for the fresh and inexperienced among them, it significantly altered the situation.
During this recent period, she along with Law spent several days preparing together, during which they sought a fresh perspective on Henry and Katherine’s relationship. They delved deeper into their household dynamics than what had been shown in previous versions. However, one part of Law’s preparation that stood out noticeably was the aspect that later resulted in some hilarious incidents on set.
Vikander mentions that the character he’s portraying has a perfume maker based in London, who frequently develops scents for his roles. Intriguingly, this person even created a ‘Katherine scent’ for him, which included lavender – it was quite pleasant compared to the other scents he had.
It’s interesting to see when a smell actually makes people physically gag, and you can’t control it
However, he additionally requested a peculiar favor from the perfumer, to create a scent that mimicked his leg sore, specifically the exposed wound, the pus, the blood, and the foul odor. Frankly, it was incredibly repugnant!
She goes on to say: “It’s intriguing to observe instances where a particular smell can make people involuntarily retch. One such moment occurred when Karim, who adored that container, was darting around [spraying the aroma]… he found pleasure in watching everyone succumb, and all of a sudden, we noticed something tremble.
Additionally, during this highly charged scene, it was evident that the camera operator was doing his best not to disrupt the shot. After all, with everyone else pouring their energy into their performances, the last thing anyone wanted was for him to stumble and fall onto the ground.
One method they used, among others, to make the movie as authentic as feasible during its production was to emphasize the scents, but there were also other techniques. For instance, they had advisors on set who were astonishingly knowledgeable because they had lived as Tudors for up to half a year. These experts provided valuable insights across multiple areas.
As a cinephile, I find it intriguing to note how costume dramas often carry an air of the grandeur and formality associated with the Victorian era of the British Empire. This sense of tradition, coupled with an undeniable stiff-upper-lip attitude, is something that continues to resonate in these productions.
After encountering these Tudor specialists, they shared some intriguing details about the period, such as: ‘Actually, it’s quite different than what you might imagine. They ate with their hands, sang in this manner, and had certain ways of relieving themselves. The priest often advised that a strong son required frequent sexual activity.’
You may find that the demeanor of the royal court from those times is significantly distinct compared to what it has become over a period of 250 or 300 years.
One aspect that made the filming feel especially engaging was choosing to shoot the entire production on-site at Haddon Hall, a picturesque English country estate situated near Bakewell in Derbyshire. This historic venue has been featured in various film and television productions throughout its history, such as “The Princess Bride” and the 2005 adaptation of “Pride and Prejudice.
In an unusual yet fascinating approach, Vikander and Law’s dressing rooms were situated in the basement instead of the usual trailers parked outside. This distinctive setup added to the overall uniqueness of the filming process, making it an unforgettable experience.
She notes that having a 360-degree perspective can be particularly beneficial, and it seems even more so when one tries to deceive oneself into believing they’re traveling back in time to a specific location.
Numerous films have been filmed there due to its unique permit system and capacity for 360-degree sets. This style of production, filled with real-life smells, food, animals, and children, was a preferred approach for Karim. Thus, the enchantment that comes from stepping onto such a set is something he cherished.
Without a doubt, beyond all the technical elements, a significant factor in the movie lies in giving Katherine Parr a more prominent position in historical narrative. As Henry VIII’s sixth and longest-surviving wife, Parr plays a crucial role in British history. Both Vikander and Aïnouz believe that she has not always received the attention she deserves from historical records.
Initially, Vikander thought her lack of knowledge about Parr’s life could be due to being an outsider in the UK. However, she discovered that even her British friends and associates shared this ignorance.
She remarks, “That period seemed to make one cynical, as it was so challenging. It felt like one more head would roll, and another life would be lost.
It gradually became clear to everyone, since standing there, we could only imagine the situation from their perspective. The stark reality of being a woman during those times in those rooms seemed incredibly challenging to envision.
As Vikander delved into history books and interacted with historians, it didn’t take long for her to grasp that “everyone held this woman in high esteem.” She discovered that, although she did not bear any biological children, she played a remarkable role as a “nurturing maternal figure” to Elizabeth I. Moreover, while she harbored some “controversial thoughts,” she was also recognized as a “devout Christian.
Katherine Parr managed to not only just keep herself alive, but even managed to become the first woman in British history to be published under her own name
For a number of years, she was married to this man, and remarkably, she not only survived his company, but also found the strength to publish her thoughts, making her the pioneer among British women to be published under her own name.
She mentions: “A significant turning point in my preparation was discovering various remarkable stories about her. However, I’m playing a person, not just an icon. Just as Jude worked to humanize this character, it wasn’t until I read some of the texts she’s published that I found hints of a woman who casually referred to ‘small-minded people’, mentioned her closeness to God, and seemed to believe she had the right to spend large sums on luxury items.
It struck me as quite extraordinary to establish such a deep bond via words with a lady who lived half a millennium ago while reading. This made me wonder about the earliest female-authored work I’ve come across.
An interesting discovery I made was that most texts older than 500 years lack a female perspective, which I’ve rarely encountered. This realization in itself felt quite impactful.
In relation to viewing the movie, Vikander expresses her initial desire is for people to merely take pleasure in following the storyline. However, she also harbors the hope that it might highlight Katherine Parr more prominently and maybe even enable some of its viewers to embark on a similar voyage of self-discovery as she did.
She admits she felt quite surprised, almost ashamed, that she knew little about this woman and her achievements. When reading the script, she found herself spending a few hours diving into Wikipedia and various online sources, wondering in astonishment, “How is it possible that I know so little?
It’d be great if I could delve deeper into the subject. If by chance someone else found themselves yearning to explore more after watching the movie, then that would be terrific.
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2024-09-11 14:13