- Barry Keoghan’s improvised graveyard scene in “Saltburn” left the crew on set speechless, according to an interview he gave with Esquire.
- The intense and unscripted nature of the scene, which involved Keoghan’s character stripping and thrusting into the soil of Felix’s grave, contributed to its lasting impact on the production.
- Keoghan collaborated with director Emerald Fennell to push the boundaries of obsession in the scene, resulting in a jaw-dropping moment captured in one take.
Additional Coverage:
- ‘Saltburn’ star Barry Keoghan says everyone was silent after he improvised the graveyard scene: ‘No one spoke for a bit’ (businessinsider.com)
Barry Keoghan, the star of “Saltburn,” revealed in an interview with Esquire that the crew on set was left speechless after he filmed the graveyard scene. Keoghan mentioned that no one spoke for a while after the scene, which was partly unscripted and filmed with a limited crew. The shocking improvised scene, in which his character Oliver strips and thrusts into the soil of Felix’s grave, has left a lasting impact on the production.
In the latest installment of Esquire’s “Explain This” video series, Keoghan explained that the intense scene left everyone on set stunned. Covered in mud, Keoghan said that he pushed the boundaries for the movie and did some crazy things. The emotional impact of the scene coupled with its unscripted nature contributed to the silence that followed.
“Saltburn,” directed by Emerald Fennell, revolves around Oliver Quick, played by Keoghan, who struggles to fit in at Oxford University. He befriends Felix Catton, played by Jacob Elordi, a wealthy student who invites Oliver to spend the summer at his family’s grand estate. As their friendship deepens, Oliver becomes obsessed with Felix, leading to the jaw-dropping bathtub scene and the grave scene.
Both Keoghan and Fennell have spoken about the graveyard scene in various interviews since the movie’s release. Fennell revealed that she adjusted the scene after talking to Keoghan before filming, with Keoghan agreeing that his character would go even further. The collaborative effort between Keoghan and Fennell resulted in a scene that pushed the boundaries of obsession.
Keoghan shared his thoughts during the LA premiere of the film, mentioning that the intimate response from his character was a result of their collaboration. To film the scene, only a limited number of crew members were present. Keoghan requested a closed set to explore the next level of obsession and see where it would take the story. He believed that the unscripted nature of the scene allowed it to unfold naturally and capture the right emotional impact.
Keoghan has discussed the scene in various interviews, including with Variety, GQ, and most recently with Deadline at the Golden Globes. He emphasized the importance of letting the camera roll and allowing the scene to happen organically without preplanning or rehearsing. Keoghan believes that the one take they captured was the right one.
In conclusion, the improvised graveyard scene in “Saltburn” left the crew speechless on set. Barry Keoghan’s collaboration with director Emerald Fennell pushed the boundaries, resulting in an impactful and memorable moment in the film. The unscripted nature of the scene and the limited crew presence contributed to its intense atmosphere.