- Title: 'It's a movie about motherhood' - Pablo Larrain on Princess Diana film 'Spencer'
- Date: 4th November 2021
- Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (OCTOBER 20, 2021) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (English) DIRECTOR, PABLO LARRAIN, ON NOT MAKING A BIOPIC BUT FOCUSING ON ONE PART OF DIANA'S LIFE, SAYING: "I think this movie, it's about her recovering her identity and the moment she decides to leave the family and leave her marriage, and can find herself again. At the same time, I think it's a mo
- Embargoed: 18th November 2021 10:04
- Keywords: Kristen Stewart Pablo Larrain Princess Diana Spencer Princess Diana Spencer film Spencer movie
- Location: VARIOUS
- City: VARIOUS
- Country: United Kingdom
- Topics: Arts/Culture/Entertainment,Europe,Film
- Reuters ID: LVA004F26MMA5
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Chilean filmmaker Pablo Larrain says he set out to explore the enduring appeal of Britain's Princess Diana with his new film "Spencer" - and ended up with a film celebrating her as a mother.
Larrain, whose previous movies include "Jackie", a biopic about Jackie Kennedy, told Reuters he was drawn to telling the story of Diana because of the mystery surrounding her.
He said he had done extensive research on her, but his film - which includes appearances by the ghost of Anne Boleyn - was a work of fiction, imagining what might have happened during a fateful few days in which Diana decided to get a divorce.
Set over three days, "Spencer" follows the troubled princess reluctantly joining the British royals for a Christmas gathering at Sandringham House as her marriage to Prince Charles breaks down.
The film portrays Diana as a misfit, increasingly isolated and estranged from the rest of the royal family - with the exception of her sons William and Harry - and longing to break free from rules and traditions she sees as hypocritical and suffocating.
In the film, Diana is constantly late for dinner, often leaves the table abruptly to vomit because of her eating disorder, and grows frustrated and erratic as maids and the palace equerry keep telling her what to do.
The royals are referred to as "they" or "them", and Diana only briefly speaks to the Queen or Prince Charles, preferring instead to confide with her dresser or with the cook.
In one scene she says she feels like an insect being dissected under the microscope, both referring to the paparazzi outside and her minders inside the palace
U.S. actress Kristen Stewart's interpretation of Princess Diana in "Spencer" has won rave reviews for her performance in the movie, with some critics already tipping her as a likely Oscar contender.
"Spencer" is out in cinemas around the world from Thursday (November 4).
(Production: Hanna Rantala) - Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
- Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2021. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
- Usage Terms/Restrictions: None