Firebrand (2023 film)

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

Firebrand
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
Distributed byAmazon Prime Video
Release date
  • 21 May 2023 (2023-05-21) (Cannes)
Running time
120 minutes[1]
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

Firebrand premiered at the 76th Cannes Film Festival on 21 May 2023, where it was selected to compete for Palme d'Or.

Premise

Centers around Katherine Parr, the sixth and final wife of Henry VIII.

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.[2] In March 2022, Alicia Vikander joined the cast, replacing Williams.[3][4] In May, Sam Riley, Eddie Marsan, Simon Russell Beale and Erin Doherty were among the additional cast announced for the film.[5]

Filming began by April 2022, with production taking place at Haddon Hall in Bakewell, Derbyshire until June.[6]

Release

Firebrand was selected to compete for the Palme d'Or at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival,[7] where it had its world premiere on 21 May 2023.[8] FilmNation Entertainment sold the film to STXinternational for the United Kingdom and to Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions for multiple markets 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.[9][10]

Reception

Critical response

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 53% of 22 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."[11] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 61 out of 100, based on 13 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[12]

Awards and nominations
Awards and nominations for Firebrand
Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
Cannes Film Festival 27 May 2023 Palme d'Or Karim Aïnouz Nominated [7]

References
  1. "FIREBRAND". Festival de Cannes. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  2. 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. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  3. Grobar, Matt (10 March 2022). "Alicia Vikander Replaces Michelle Williams As Queen Catherine Parr In Karim Ainouz's Firebrand". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
  4. Feinberg, Scott (30 May 2023). "'Awards Chatter' Podcast [LIVE] — Alicia Vikander ('Firebrand' and 'Irma Vep')". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  5. Bamigboye, Baz (9 May 2022). "Firebrand Entourage for Film Queen Alicia Vikander Includes Sam Riley And Eddie Marsan". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  6. Pring, Faith (4 April 2022). "Insider confirms Jude Law is currently filming new movie Firebrand in Derbyshire". Derby Telegraph. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  7. Roxborough, Scott (13 April 2023). "Cannes Film Festival Unveils 2023 Lineup (Updating Live)". The Hollywood Reporter.
  8. mraultpauillac (10 May 2023). "The Screenings Guide of the 76th Festival de Cannes". Festival de Cannes. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  9. "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. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  10. 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. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
  11. "Firebrand". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
  12. "Firebrand". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
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