FIREBRAND

Director: Karim Ainouz

2024, 120min., R

Cast: Jude Law, Alicia Vikander, Eddie Marsan, Sam Riley, Simon Russell Beale

Open Caption Screening Wednesday, July 17 at 7pm

 

Overlooked on the big screen in favor of Henry VII’s first five wives (including the colorful Anne Boleyn) Katherine Paar’s reputation has now been resurrected by Brazilian filmmaker Karim Aïnouz as a woman unafraid to use her intelligence, political savvy, sexuality and unbroken will to survive. The film opens as the accomplished Katherine, played by a subtly fierce Alicia Vikander (Ex Machina) marries Henry in spite of the disturbing fates – death, beheading or exile – of his previous Queens. When he leaves to lead a war in France, Katherine becomes Regent, giving her power over a suspicious court that plots to betray her and her “radical” friends to the King…

“Jude Law immediately joins the upper ranks of the great screen Henry VIIIs with an incendiary, movie-defining performance…” – Kevin Maher, London Times.