Jude Legislation doused himself in a specially-brewed scent blended from “blood, fecal matter and sweat,” to play Henry VIII in Firebrand, an acclaimed new interval drama which has premiered on the Cannes film festival.
“I learn a number of attention-grabbing accounts that you might odor Henry three rooms away,” mentioned Legislation at a press convention in Cannes on Monday. “His leg was rotting so badly. He hid it with rose oil. I believed it might have a terrific affect if I smelt terrible.”
A specialist perfumier was enlisted to make a customized brew, continued Legislation. “She makes great scents, and he or she additionally makes terrible scents. She by some means got here up with this extraordinary number of blood, fecal matter and sweat.
“Initially, I used it very subtly. However then it grew to become a twig fest.”
The movie’s director, Karim Aïnouz, testified to the success of Legislation’s immersive method. “When he walked in on set,” he mentioned, “it was simply horrible.”
Legislation has gained plaudits for his efficiency within the movie, which focuses on the king’s ultimate marriage, to Catherine Parr (performed by Alicia Vikander). The Guardian’s Peter Bradshaw was impressed by the viscerality of Legislation’s efficiency, writing:
“The king’s bedchamber is perfumed by the pus splurging from Henry’s bloated and ulcerated legs because the physician modifications his bandages, getting thumped and screamed at by the royal affected person. This Henry is peevish and cantankerous.
“And we at one stage get a full-on shot of His Majesty’s pale, fleshy bum as he has conjugal relations with Catherine – like the enormous, shaved arse of a sheep. Did Legislation use a buttock double for this stomach-turning picture?”
Legislation declared himself uninterested within the present-day monarchy, except for its theatrical features. “I don’t actually observe it,” he mentioned. “I’m not one for gossip. I don’t actually take pleasure in it. I discover little interest in it, and I don’t actually take pleasure in following tittle tattle tales.”
images of the coronation of Charles and Camilla earlier this month, “of this medieval ceremony and the way it utilized to right now made me really feel very trendy,” mentioned Legislation.
after publication promotion
Legislation has fronted fragrance advertisements for Dior Homme and Dior Homme Sport and is understood to be a shopper of Azzi Glasser, a British “perfume stylist”, whose raisin d’etre is “recreating DNA via odor”.
After spending time with Legislation, Glasser made him a bespoke scent which is alleged to combine components of key characters the actor has performed, together with Bosie in Wilde and Dr Watson reverse Robert Downey Jr’s Sherlock. Legislation praised it as “me, I simply by no means had it in a bottle earlier than!” It’s described by Glasser as “decadent, with a clear and stylish accord of horny vetivert and wealthy mosses.”
