Saltburn: Barry Keoghan says cemetery sex scene was improvised

Launched in the last days of 2023, Saltburn It generated a lot of discussion, especially due to the controversies and because it was quite divisive between the public and critics. One of the most disturbing scenes in the film directed by Emerald Fennell show Oliver Quickcharacter from Barry Keoghanhaving sex in a cemetery.

Warning: the following text contains spoilers Saltburnnow available on Prime Video!

In the scene in question, Oliver cries over the grave of felix (Jacob Elordi). He throws himself on top of the pit and starts rubbing himself. Then he rips off all his clothes and continues the act, as if he were having sex with the earth.

During an interview with Variety, the actor revealed the behind-the-scenes of filming the scene, and how it was largely improvised. “On paper, it wasn’t written to do that. But I wanted to see what actually happened, where I would take it,” he said. “I wanted to be confused and let my body lead the way. What am I doing? How can I get closer?”

Already in conversation with EntertainmentWeeklyKeoghan revealed how, in the script, the idea was that his character, Oliver, just stick your finger in the grave, also in a sexual way, and kiss the grave. However, on the day of filming, everything changed.

“To me, it wasn’t like he was having sex with his grave, it was more about what he didn’t know how to do with that obsession. [Na cena] This is leaving me confused and dehumanizing me in a way“declared Keoghan. “It was a total discovery for me, I think. And it was sad. It was very, very sad“he still said.

In the same conversation, Fennell even admitted that the scene “it’s shocking, darkly funny and uncomfortable”but “it had to be a moment of deep despair, a moment of almost relatable sadness because of this forever unrequited love”.

“People said, ‘Oh, we knew what was going to happen. Why did we need to watch?’ And I replied: (…) ‘You have to be uncomfortable watching it. You can only understand if you watch it'”he declared.

The filmmaker also said that the performance of Keoghan in the scene was so good that she would never exclude it from the film: “There was no chance that the scene wouldn’t be in the film. There was no way I could see a performance with such dedication – an expression of grief and love as intense as that – and not show it.”he stated. “It was the most extraordinary thing I have ever seen.”

In SaltburnWe know Oliver Quicka university student in England, in the 2000s, who ends up developing an obsessive passion for the aristocrat Felix Catton. Unaware of the boy’s obsession, felix invite Oliver to spend an unforgettable summer with his eccentric family.

In addition to the protagonists, the film’s cast also includes Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl), Carey Mulligan (Conductor), Richard E. Grant (Everyone’s Talking About Jamie), Paul Rhys (Napoleon), Archie Madekwe (Gran Turismo – From Player to Racer), Sadie Soverall (Fate: The Winx Saga), Reece Shearsmith (Inside No. 9) It is Gabriel Bisset-Smith (I passed by here). Watch the trailer: