Thursday, August 26, 2021
Wednesday, August 25, 2021
First reactions to 'Spencer' and details of the footage and trailer shown at Cinema Con
EW The very first footage from Pablo Larraín's Princess Diana biopic Spencer debuted at CinemaCon on Wednesday and EW was there for the sneak peek. The film follows three days in the life of Diana (Kristen Stewart), as she spends Christmas with the royal family at Norfolk's Sandringham estate, and wrestles with the decision to end her marriage to Prince Charles (Jack Farthing) amid rumors of affairs.
In the footage, which has not been released publicly, a nearly unrecognizable Stewart and Farthing square off over a pool table in what is presumably a billiards room on the royal estate. The two, who are separated by the length of the table with a series of perfectly cued all-red balls between them, are immediately at odds and arguing about one of their sons shooting with the family. At one point, she barely contains her anger by banging on the pool table in rage. It's quickly clear that the real issue is not the shooting, but various untruths and resentments between the couple. Charles confronts her about everything from wandering the grounds alone, to how she opens curtains, and possible infidelities are implied. But, at the heart of his issues with her, is her apparent lack of desire to conform to royal standards.
"There's two of everyone," he tells her. "We are given tasks, you have to be able to make your body do things you hate."
"That you hate?" she repeats, nailing Diana's whispery tone of voice and accent.
"Yes, for the good of the country," he says. "For the people, because they don't want us to be people. That's how it is. I'm sorry I thought you knew." The confrontation ends with Charles flicking the eight ball to her, which she picks up and subsequently drops. The final shot is of the lonely eight ball on the floor.
NEON also screened a teaser trailer for the film. Underscored by a piano-based score overlaid with sounds of a children's choir, the trailer features shots of the opulent life surrounding Diana, from the decadent food, to the gorgeous clothes, to the royal family seated at a long dinner table. There are various shots of Diana, who doesn't utter but a few words in the trailer, looking miserable as she spins, dances, and runs from her troubles on the Sandringham estate.
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The Wrap On Wednesday, Neon debuted a teaser and first-look footage of “Spencer,” in which Kristen Stewart plays the late Princess Diana.
The first-look begins with a montage of elaborate outfits laid out for Princess Diana, and Diana cooped up in the bathroom, hiding out from everyone else who have sat down for what looks like a meal around Christmas time. The footage also shows Diana dancing through the palace, running through the fields, sauntering through the halls in a silver dress, and being hounded by the paparazzi. It’s clear from the teaser that Diana is at the end of her rope and wants to leave, but she needs to stay in line.
Neon then showed footage of a conversation between Diana and Prince Charles across a snooker table, creating a physical space between the couple that was known to be troubled. They discuss her private and public persona and the way she decides to dress, and they also argue about one of their sons taking up shooting. It’s intense and full of anxiety and ends with Charles rolling over a black ball that Diana catches.
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Deadline Early-risers at Neon’s CinemaCon presentation this morning got a first look at the trailer and an extended clip for Spencer, the biopic about Princess Diana that stars Kristen Stewart and which will world premiere at the Venice Film Festival next Friday, Sept. 3, then move on to TIFF.
There’s been a lot of attention on the prospect of Stewart’s portrayal of the iconic Lady Di (she was last in Venice playing another real-life woman in 2019’s Seberg). But her accent here is pitch-perfect as the Princess of Wales.
The trailer footage begins with the arrival at Sandringham for the Christmas weekend and takes us through preparations for dinner while Diana is clearly stressed in a bathroom as she’s called to the table. Other images show her strutting down a long hallway dressed to the nines in a silver gown, sitting for a family portrait, paparazzi snapping cameras, and Diana also in moments of letting loose dancing and running across the estate grounds.
In the extended footage, Diana and Charles discuss the scrutiny that’s placed on them by the media. She says, “If they’re circling, it seems they’re circling just me.” To which Charles retorts, “Perhaps that’s because I always take care to close my curtains.”
In the tense exchange, he adds, “There has to be two of you. There’s two of me… The real one and the one they take pictures of… We are given a task… But you have to be able to make your body do things you hate.” Diana: “That you hate?” Charles: “Yes… For the country, the people. They don’t want us to be people. That’s how it is. I’m sorry, I thought you knew.”
They have their tiff across a distanced snooker table and also nip about the son’s taking up shooting outside, and her wardrobe. The scene culminates in Stewart’s Diana having a measured display of irritation at her husband who is railing on her, but with such a placid tone.
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Insider has seen the first-ever footage of "Spencer" during the Neon presentation of its upcoming slate at CinemaCon, the annual movie-theater convention, on Wednesday.
The highly-anticipated movie from Pablo Larraín ("Jackie") stars Kristen Stewart as Princess Diana as she struggles with her marriage to Prince Charles.
The footage features Stewart being confronted by Charles over her not being the princess everyone wants her to be. We can see Stewart's Diana clearly frustrated over her role and feeling like a prisoner in her own home.
Along with the gripping scene that could garner Oscar attention for Stewart, and the amazing production design and costuming, there's also Stewart's English accent.
It is flawless.
Like Natalie Portman playing Jackie Kennedy in "Jackie," it's less about her physically looking like the icon and more about her voice and mannerisms.
Don't get me wrong, Stewart has the look with the costuming and wavy blonde hair. But her voice perfectly matches to that of Princess Diana.
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Joblo Kristen Stewart’s much-anticipated Princess Diana biopic, Spencer, was the movie everyone left the CinemaCon Neon presentation talking about. While definitely offering a lower-key slate than any of the studios, who are there presenting their tentpoles, Neon can boast a few pretty intriguing awards contenders, and indeed Spencer leads that pack.
While some might be rolling their eyes at the idea of another Princess Diana biopic, Pablo Larraín’s film seems unconventional and very much a companion piece to his own Jackie. Like that film, this seems to focus on the strain of being on display, and in the public eye, 24/7. However, taking place during the crumbling years of Diana and Prince Charles’ marriage (with Charles played by Jack Farthing), this is a lot different than The Crown on Netflix, as it seems more focused on the domestic aspect of being a royal rather than the pageantry. It’s shot in 1:33:1, with low-key cinematography, although the camera work is unique.
In the extended clip we saw, Diana and Charles stand on opposite ends of a billiards table. As they argue, the camera cuts back and forth between each side of the table, slowly pulling in as the argument escalates. They argue about their respective affairs in coded language, with Charles eventually telling Diana, “There has to be two of you. The real one, and the one they take pictures of…you have to be able to make your body do things that you hate… for the good of the country. For the people, because they don’t want us to be people. I’m sorry – I thought you knew”.
Stewart’s performance seems to be on point, with her accent convincing to my non-educated ears. She’s also wearing a prosthetic nose that makes her look quite a bit like Diana. I was impressed.
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JasonGuerrasio Just saw footage of SPENCER. Kristen Stewart is going all out for that Oscar glory. And her Princess Di accent is spot on! #CinemaCon
ScottDMenzel I just saw the teaser trailer for #Spencer & a 5 minute clip from the film. Based on the footage, it looks like Kristen Stewart will be getting an Oscar nomination for her performance as Diana. I’m feeling very confident that this is going to be #KristenStewart’s big moment.
_LaurenHuff My full write up of the #Spencer footage is coming momentarily but let me just say: WOW. Cannot wait to see the rest. Kristen Stewart nails it. (EW)
katiesmovies I really enjoyed the footage of #Spencer that @neonrated showed during their #CinemaCon presentation! I thought she did an excellent job and I look forward to seeing the rest.
Tuesday, August 24, 2021
'In Conversation With...Kristen Stewart' at the Toronto International Film Festival on 15 September 2021
In Conversation With... Kristen Stewart
Kristen Stewart is charting her own creative path in the film industry. Following her early work with the likes of David Fincher and David Gordon Green and her stratospheric rise to superstardom in the wake of the Twilight franchise, Stewart has collaborated with some of the most original filmmakers of our time, such as Walter Salles (On the Road), Olivier Assayas (Clouds of Sils Maria, Personal Shopper), and Kelly Reichardt (Certain Women). She has been vocal about LGBTQ+ representation behind and in front of the camera, while starring in Clea DuVall’s recent queer holiday hit Happiest Season.
As we celebrate the fifth anniversary of TIFF’s ongoing Share Her Journey initiative in support of women in the film industry, we proudly present a conversation with Stewart about her love for “soul-driven and explorative” cinema and her highly anticipated portrayal of Princess Diana in Pablo Larraín’s Spencer, a Special Event at this year’s Festival.
This live digital event is accessible to audiences worldwide on TIFF Bell Digital Talks for free. The event is part of TIFF’s Share Her Journey initiative, which prioritizes gender parity with a focus on mentorship, skills development, and other opportunities for emerging creators who are women. Pre-register for this exclusive event here.
Join Kristen's talk at TIFF on 15 September at 12.30pm ET.
(9.30am PT/ 5.30pm UK/ 6.30pm CET/ 16 Sept 2.30am AEST)
Wednesday, August 18, 2021
Wednesday, August 11, 2021
'Spencer' will have a special screening at the Toronto International Film Festival on 15 September 2021
The red carpet screening will be on 15 September at 6.00pm at the Princess of Wales theater.
Kristen Stewart stars in Pablo Larraín’s haunting chamber drama that imagines a tumultuous Christmas in the life of Diana, Princess of Wales.
A thematic companion to his TIFF ’16 Platform selection Jackie, the latest from Chilean director Pablo Larraín is, like its predecessor, a haunting chamber drama about a world-famous woman reaching a tumultuous turning point. Starring Kristen Stewart, Spencer follows the Princess of Wales as she navigates a precarious Christmas holiday with the Royal Family at their Sandringham estate in Norfolk — a moment that will set Diana on a path to independence, however tragically short-lived.
The Prince’s infidelities with Camilla Parker Bowles have become public knowledge. The fairy-tale façade of Charles and Diana’s marriage has crumbled. Arriving at Sandringham tardy and alone, Diana is expected to adhere to a series of soul-draining exercises in empty propriety, routinely changing outfits and posing for photos. She savours whatever hours she can secure with her sons, William and Harry, but her sole confidant is her personal attendant (Sally Hawkins). As Diana begins to disobey decorum, her every indulgence is tracked by a former Black Watch officer (Timothy Spall) newly employed by the Queen to keep paparazzi at bay — and the Princess on a tight leash.
Written by Oscar nominee Steven Knight (Locke), Spencer elegantly balances history and conjecture, while Larraín’s uniquely atmospheric, intimate approach — buoyed by an exquisitely unnerving score from Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood — slides seamlessly between internal strife and external strain. Stewart, meanwhile, is nothing less than a revelation, merging a meticulous evocation of a mercilessly scrutinized public figure with affecting hints of the vulnerable private woman gasping for breath beneath the mask of monarchy.
Source: TIFF
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