7x what you want to know about Saltburn
I haven't even seen the movie yet, but I'm already a bit obsessed with Saltburn. And about that one question that everyone asks themselves. Short synopsis: student Oliver struggles to fit in at Oxford and is invited by the aristocratic Felix to spend the summer at his family estate Saltburn.
For me, it feels a bit like Brideshead Revisited meets Steeling Beauty, but that's purely based on feeling, as I still have to see the movie. I have a bit of resistance because there apparently are quite a few intense scenes (something about lying naked on a grave) in it, so I'm mentally preparing myself a bit. But before that happens, I'll share some interesting tidbits so you can at least join the conversation. Because if everyone is talking about something, it's about Saltburn.
1. The Saltburn estate really exists
The manor has 127 rooms and was built in 1300. Director Emerald Fennell, who also studied at Oxford, mentioned having a fascination for houses like Saltburn. Houses that seem timeless and chic, but where everyone's room is dirty, people smell weird, and everyone walks around in a Juicy Couture tracksuit. It is also truly in the hands of a family that gave the filmmakers a lot of freedom in using their home. The creators even thought about the smell of the house.
2. Jacob Elordi practiced for Elvis during Saltburn
One of the main characters, Felix Catton, is played by Jacob Elordi, who would start filming Priscilla, in which he plays Elvis Presley, three weeks after the filming of Saltburn . In between shoots, he shook off his Felix character and practiced his Elvis interpretations.
3. Margot – Barbie – Robbie produced this film
Just a slightly less plastic counterpart to Barbie. There were exactly two weeks between the filming of Barbie and Saltburn, so this was a bit of a college switch for Robbie.
4. Rosamund Pike lived on the estate during filming
She loved staying in such a large house where you never have to run into other residents. She walked through the garden and devoured books on the grass, something her character, Felix's mother, wouldn't do so quickly, but Rosamund Pike would.
5. The naked dance scene had to be done eleven times
Even though everyone thought the eighth time was perfect, the director just missed the depth and had Barry Keoghan do it three more times. By the way, he didn't use a body double.
6. The nude scene on the grave happened spontaneously
Barry Keoghan suddenly had the idea to have his character lie naked on a grave. He asked for a ‘closed set’ to try it safely, and it worked. Reading this makes me a bit discouraged about watching this movie, but well. I've also seen very strange Ibsen films, so I should be able to handle it.
7. The director is also Camilla
If you think: hey, that director looks familiar, that could be right. She played the young Camilla Parker-Bowles in The Crown.
Image: Chiabella James/Prime Video
