London – Karim Aïnouz’s English-language feature debut, FIREBRAND opens through MetFilm Distribution on 6 September in cinemas. The cast is led by Alicia Vikander (EX MACHINA, THE DANISH GIRL) as Katherine Parr with Jude Law (SHERLOCK HOLMES, THE TALENTED MR RIPLEY) also starring as King Henry VIII.
Based on Elizabeth Fremantle’s 2013 novel Queen’s Gambit, the film is a moving portrait of a unique character in history that has previously been untouched on the big screen.
In blood-soaked Tudor England, Katherine Parr, the sixth and last wife of King Henry VIII, is named Regent while tyrant Henry is fighting overseas. Katherine has done everything she can to push for a new future based on her radical Protestant beliefs. When an increasingly ailing and paranoid King returns, he turns his fury on the radicals, charging Katherine’s childhood friend with treason and burning her at the stake. Horrified and grieving, but forced to deny it, Katherine finds herself fighting for her own survival.
Karim Aïnouz is an award-winning filmmaker and visual artist. He debuted as a director with MADAME SATÃ in Cannes Un Certain Regard in 2002, while FIREBRAND debuted In Competition also in Cannes. This year, Aïnouz presented MOTEL DESTINO also In Competition in Cannes.
The supporting cast is rounded out by Simon Russell Beale (THE DEATH OF STALIN, HOUSE OF THE DRAGON), Eddie Marsan (RAY DONOVAN, BACK TO BLACK) Ruby Bentall (THE SERPENT QUEEN, POLDARK) Bryony Hannah (CALL THE MIDWIFE, THE LAST DUEL) and Sam Riley (CONTROL, REBECCA).
FIREBRAND opens in UK and Ireland cinemas on 6 September 2024
Running time: 120 minutes