Barry Keoghan, the versatile actor known for his roles in 'The Killing of a Sacred Deer', 'Bird', and 'Saltburn', is making waves once again with his latest project, 'Butterfly Jam'. This film, set in and around an East Coast Circassian community, marks Keoghan's first feature involvement with his production company, Wolfcub Productions. In an exclusive interview, Keoghan discusses his journey with the project, his collaboration with director Kantemir Balagov, and his upcoming role as Ringo Starr in Sam Mendes' 'The Beatles' film series.
A Family Drama with a Unique Twist
'Butterfly Jam' is a family drama with a unique cultural twist. Keoghan plays the father in the film, a role that marks a departure from his previous works. The actor expresses his excitement about stepping into these kinds of roles, stating, 'I'm stepping into those kinds of roles now. Crazy. Now I'm the dad.' The film focuses on the relationship between the father and his son, a wrestler, within the tight-knit Circassian community. Keoghan highlights the importance of learning about the culture, noting the presence of a dialect coach and the organic nature of the dance scenes, which were taught to the cast by the crew.
A Breath of Fresh Air with Riley Keough
One of the highlights of the film is Keoghan's collaboration with Riley Keough, who plays his sister. Keoghan praises her raw energy and unpredictability, stating, 'She has a kind of raw energy that you don’t know where she’s going, and it’s unpredictable. And it’s really astonishing to watch and act alongside.' The actor also mentions the joy of working with Talha Akdogan, who plays his son, Pyteh, and was new to acting.
An Animal Theme with Cannes
Keoghan's involvement with 'Butterfly Jam' adds to his 'animal theme' with Cannes, referring to his previous films 'The Killing of a Sacred Deer' and 'Bird'. He sees this as a spiritual connection, stating, 'I have this animal theme going, spiritually for me, with 'The Killing of a Sacred Deer' and 'Bird' and now 'Butterfly Jam' and now Wolfcub.' The actor is also proud of Wolfcub Productions' first feature, which will open Directors' Fortnight at the Cannes Film Festival.
Balancing Indie and Commercial
Keoghan's approach to his career involves finding a balance between independent and commercial projects. He seeks to work with brilliant directors from both worlds, stating, 'I want to go in between, step into independent movies and step into commercial movies with brilliant directors.' 'Butterfly Jam' came at the right time, offering him the opportunity to work with Kantemir Balagov and explore a European movie set in New Jersey.
The Therapeutic Side of Making Movies
Keoghan reflects on the therapeutic side of making movies, stating, 'It reminds you that you’re part of a community and a circle of people that I’ve always just wanted to create.' He finds comfort in the safeness created by working with people he loves and admires, which allows him to be vulnerable and deliver strong performances. This is particularly evident in his role as Ringo Starr, where he can dig deep and bring forward his most vulnerable truths.
Learning from the Best
Keoghan's involvement in 'The Beatles' film series has been a learning experience, stating, 'I’m learning lots by watching Sam and by watching Greig [Fraser, the cinematographer] on the camera and getting back into my photography as well.' He sees himself as learning from the best, noting the tight-knit family atmosphere on set.
A Director's Journey
When asked about directing his first feature, Keoghan mentions his short film 'Animal', which he shot in black and white 16mm with non-actors. He expresses his desire to direct a feature, citing influences from Kubrick and Yorgos Lanthimos. Keoghan's journey in the film industry is one of continuous learning and growth, both in front of and behind the camera.
