LOS ANGELES — Divorced. Beheaded. Died. Divorced. Beheaded. Survived.
We’ve all heard about King Henry VIII and his six wives. But now, the film “Firebrand” looks at Queen Katherine Parr, the survivor who saw Henry to the end of his life.
Of Henry's six wives, film director Karim Aiinouz says Katherine has been largely under-represented, and even disregarded, in English Tudor history, even though much is known about Henry VIII’s tyrannical reign.
Jude Law, who plays Henry VIII, tells Spectrum News the British monarch is someone who fell from grace.
“There is some macabre fascination with him and the idea of this person literally hacking his way through the women who can’t provide him with what he wants. It is almost like a fable. It’s a monster in a kid’s book, who eats people who don’t agree [with him],” he said.
Academy Award winner Alicia Vikander, who plays Katherine Parr, told Spectrum News, that it is interesting that we all seem to just relish in the horror and ugliness of things. But she questioned why she and and so many others seem to know so little about the woman who survived and outlived Henry.
“I wanted to know more about Katherine. I did spend time online to research and realized there was a lot of information out there,” she said.
She hopes that like her, the film will pique viewers' interest to learn more about Katherine.
Law says he hopes people are inspired by Katherine and heed the warning of tyranny of Henry.
“That kind of behavior, that kind of abuse of power is, unfortunately, is still being wielded by people who can get away with it today. There are a lot of modern traits to this story and there is a modern edge to the film,” he said.
For his part, Aiinouz says working with Law and Vikander was joyful, playful, but it was a lot of work.
“When one thinks of film making and directing … it’s all about your vision, the director’s vision. In this case, which was really [exciting], it was a collaborate work. The writers were amazing. The writer of the book is a woman. Working with Jude and Alicia what was wonderful. They weren’t just playing royals. They were playing a couple in an abusive relationship and how can one come out of it. They brought a lot of humanity to these characters,” he said.
What other royal would Vikander play, given the chance?
She says she would play Queen Christina of Sweden, one of the last rulers in the lineage of the 16th and 17th century House of Vasa.
“She also ruled by herself in Sweden, and that’s a pretty incredible story,” said Vikander.
“Firebrand” is now playing in theaters. It stars Alicia Vikander, Jude Law, Eddie Marsan, Sam Riley, Simon Russell Beale and Erin Doherty.
Click the arrow above to watch the full interview.
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