jude Law And Alicia Vikander do not go unnoticed at Cannes Film Festival. They walked the red carpet at the world premiere of Firebrand by Brazilian director Karim Aїnouz, in his first work in English. A psychological thriller in costume which he holds in suspense.
The film, based on the historical novel by Elizabeth Fremantleleads in the sixteenth century, to the court of the Tudorsduring the reign of Henry VIII and of Katherine Parr, the sixth and last wife of the king. Another period movie After Jeanne Du Barry with Johnny Depp. This time, however, we move to England and to the competition section.
Firebrand: the plot
Katherine Parr (Alicia Vikander) is appointed regent, while her husband Henry VIII (Jude Law) is fighting across the Channel. The kingdom is going through a delicate and transitional period. The sixth wife of the king, who follows a Catherine of Aragon, Anne BoleynJoanna Seymour, Anne of Cleves e Catherine Howardhas radical and Protestant ideas, to the point of being accused of heresy, like her friend Anne. Between God and the people there must be the king, this is the indisputable law, in which the queen no longer believes.
Henry VIII he returns to the castle, to his children from previous relationships and his current wife. His health conditions are very bad, gangrene is eating away at his leg and his mental state. With Katherine he is violent, jealous and doubts her loyalty. After the burning of her childhood friend, the queen finds herself fighting for the survival. The king, between life and death, will have to decide the fate of his wife, and there are those who will do anything to bring her to the pyre.
Alicia Vikander and Jude Law. (Photo Larry D. Horricks)
Alicia Vikander in one of the best performances
In Firebrand there is no love affair as in Jeanne Du Barry or in series to Bridgerton. And there are no battle scenes a la Last Duel by Ridley Scott. Karim AС—nouz bets on psychological tension between the two spouses, on their now cracked relationship, on the position of domination of one over the otheron historical issues and Katherine’s revolutionary creed.
Alicia Vikander she is perfect in the part of a smart woman who has the strength to fight and the ability to manage at his side a dangerous man. Patience is the rule to survive. Katherine is also the first woman in British history to have a book published under her own name. After the reign of Henry VIII it is no coincidence that the daughter’s will follow Elizabethplayed by Cate Blanchett in Shekar Kapur’s film.
Alicia Vikander in “Firebrand”. (Press office)
Jude Law almost unrecognizable as Henry VIII
Jude Law has gotten fat and almost unrecognizable in the part of the king, he is heavy in his movements due to his rotting leg. The words, looks and attitudes of Henry VIII they paralyze whoever is in front of them: every time he confronts his wife by emitting a whisper, a grimace, a word creates tension. The viewer gasps together with Kat in front of the violence, mental imbalance and threats. Queen she is frightened in the face of a man who is unreasonable and who awaits death, almost in the manner of Marlon Brando neither The Godfather.
iO Woman © REPRODUCTION RESERVED