Firebrand (2023 film)

Firebrand
Theatrical release poster
Directed byKarim Aïnouz
Written by
  • Henrietta Ashworth
  • Jessica Ashworth
Based onQueen's Gambit
by Elizabeth Fremantle
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyHélène Louvart
Edited byHeike Parplies
Music byDickon Hinchliffe
Production
companies
  • MBK Productions
  • Brouhaha Entertainment
Distributed byMetFilm Distribution[1]
Release dates
  • 21 May 2023 (2023-05-21) (Cannes)
  • 6 September 2024 (2024-09-06) (United Kingdom)
Running time
120 minutes[1]
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
Box office$3.7 million[2]

Firebrand is a 2023 British historical drama film directed by Karim Aïnouz and written by Henrietta Ashworth and Jessica Ashworth, based on the 2013 novel Queen's Gambit by Elizabeth Fremantle. The film focuses on Katherine Parr, Queen of England the sixth wife of Henry VIII. It stars Alicia Vikander, Jude Law, and Eddie Marsan. The film marks Aïnouz's first directorial effort in the English language.

Firebrand premiered at the 76th Cannes Film Festival on 21 May 2023, where it was selected to compete for Palme d'Or. It was released in the United Kingdom on 6 September 2024.

Plot

Katherine Parr (Vikander), the sixth wife of King Henry VIII (Law), is named regent while the king leads his army in France. Katherine looks after Henry’s children, Mary, Elizabeth and Edward. Katherine takes risks to meet up with an old friend, Anne Askew, who is preaching Protestantism and later executed as a heretic.

When the king returns, increasingly ill and paranoid, Katherine finds herself fighting for her own survival as Henry's courtiers increasingly try to turn the king against her. Katherine becomes pregnant, but has a miscarriage shortly after.

Bishop Gardiner believes Katherine’s religious views are dangerous, and convinces Henry to have her arrested. She is locked in a dungeon, but Henry soon frees her. Afraid for her future, she goes to his bedside and kills him.

Cast

Production

The film was announced during the 2021 American Film Market. Karim Aïnouz was set to direct, with Michelle Williams and Jude Law cast to star.[3] In March 2022, Alicia Vikander joined the cast, replacing Williams.[4][5] In May, Sam Riley, Eddie Marsan, Simon Russell Beale and Erin Doherty were among the additional cast announced for the film.[6]

Filming began by April 2022, with shooting taking place at Haddon Hall in Bakewell, Derbyshire until June.[7]

Release

Firebrand was selected to compete for the Palme d'Or at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival,[8] where it had its world premiere on 21 May 2023.[9] FilmNation Entertainment sold the film to STXinternational for the United Kingdom and to Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions for multiple markets including Germany and Asia excluding Japan and independent distributors elsewhere. Amazon Prime Video was rumoured to have been in negotiations to acquire UK rights from STX, but it was later revealed the deal had already taken place in 2022.[10][11] It was released in cinemas in the United Kingdom on 6 September 2024.[1]

In December 2023, Roadside Attractions and Vertical Entertainment acquired US distribution rights to the film, scheduling it for a cinema release on 14 June 2024.[12]

Reception

Critical response

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 55% of 58 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 5.6/10. The website's consensus reads: "Divorced from the historical record with little to show for it, Firebrand is a period piece whose revisionist aims are at odds with its stultifying approach."[13] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 61 out of 100, based on 13 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[14]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Firebrand (15)". British Board of Film Classification. 22 July 2024. Archived from the original on 22 July 2024. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  2. ^ "Firebrand (2024)". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Retrieved 26 October 2024.Edit this at Wikidata
  3. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (27 October 2021). "Hot AFM Package: Michelle Williams & Jude Law In 'Firebrand;' Karim Aïnouz Directs Drama On Catherine Parr, Final Wife Of Henry VIII". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 27 October 2021. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  4. ^ Grobar, Matt (10 March 2022). "Alicia Vikander Replaces Michelle Williams As Queen Catherine Parr In Karim Ainouz's Firebrand". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 26 March 2023. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
  5. ^ Feinberg, Scott (30 May 2023). "'Awards Chatter' Podcast [LIVE] — Alicia Vikander ('Firebrand' and 'Irma Vep')". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 30 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  6. ^ Bamigboye, Baz (9 May 2022). "Firebrand Entourage for Film Queen Alicia Vikander Includes Sam Riley And Eddie Marsan". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 28 March 2023. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  7. ^ Pring, Faith (4 April 2022). "Insider confirms Jude Law is currently filming new movie Firebrand in Derbyshire". Derby Telegraph. Archived from the original on 21 January 2023. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  8. ^ Roxborough, Scott (13 April 2023). "Cannes Film Festival Unveils 2023 Lineup (Updating Live)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 13 April 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  9. ^ mraultpauillac (10 May 2023). "The Screenings Guide of the 76th Festival de Cannes". Festival de Cannes. Archived from the original on 10 May 2023. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  10. ^ "Alicia Vikander and Jude Law's 'Firebrand' Sells Out Internationally Ahead of Cannes Premiere, Prime Video Swooping for U.K. Deal". Variety. 18 May 2023. Archived from the original on 22 May 2023. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  11. ^ Wiseman, Andreas (20 May 2023). "Jodie Comer's Apocalyptic Thriller 'The End We Start From' Sells To Paramount's Republic Pictures In Mid Seven-Figure North America Deal — Cannes Market". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 21 May 2023. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
  12. ^ Brew, Caroline (18 December 2023). "Roadside Attractions and Vertical Acquire Historical Thriller Firebrand, Starring Jude Law and Alicia Vikander". Variety. Archived from the original on 18 December 2023. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  13. ^ "Firebrand". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved 4 November 2023. Edit this at Wikidata
  14. ^ "Firebrand". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved 4 November 2023.