Renowned British actor Jude Law, who captivated the audience at the Cannes Film Festival with his striking portrayal of King Henry VIII in the movie “Firebrand,” shared his perspectives on the British monarchy in a press conference. Law compared the monarchy to a theater and admitted that, although he is passionate about the theatrical world, he sees the role of the monarchy as an intriguing chapter in history rather than a source of personal interest.
“I don’t really follow all these things; I see them as an intriguing chapter in history,” Law stated, making it clear that he is not particularly interested in the gossip surrounding the current British royal family. However, he acknowledged the admirable way in which medieval ceremonies connect with the present, referring to the coronation of the future King Charles III.
The film “Firebrand,” directed by Brazilian filmmaker Karim Ainouz, revolves around the story of Catherine Parr, the last wife of King Henry VIII. The festival unanimously praised Law’s portrayal of the legendary English king, depicting him as an obese, paranoid, and sexually voracious ogre tormented by leg gangrene.
During the press conference, Law revealed that he enlisted the services of a perfumer to recreate the wound, blending scents of pus, blood, fecal matter, and sweat. Initially, Law discreetly used the mixture, but Ainouz became enthusiastic about the idea and decided to use it throughout the filming. Both Law and Alicia Vikander, who portrays Catherine Parr, jokingly commented on how unpleasant the aroma was on the film set.
In summary, Jude Law sees the British monarchy as a theater and finds its connection to history fascinating. His outstanding performance in “Firebrand” has received widespread acclaim at the festival, marking the English-language debut of director Karim Ainouz.