UMVA has learned that a new film, Savage House, is set to raise eyebrows with its explicit content, including sex scenes and strong language, starring Claire Foy and Richard E. Grant as an eccentric and impoverished upper-class couple.
The film, written and directed by Peter Glanz, promises to be a black comedy that delights in pushing boundaries, featuring everything from brimming chamber pots to analingus, a scene that Foy describes as 'gross' but also a unique selling point.
Grant, 69, and Foy, 42, play Sir Chauncey and Lady Savage, who drive themselves to the brink of ruin in a bid to climb the slippery eighteenth-century social ladder, showcasing a raucous and rough-edged side of period drama.
This new take on the genre is far removed from the more prim and proper British period dramas of 20 and 30 years ago, instead aligning with recent hits like Bridgerton, Harlots, and Mary & George, which have also pushed the boundaries of what is considered acceptable.
Foy and Grant are old pros when it comes to period dramas, with Foy being Bafta-nominated for her work as Anne Boleyn in Wolf Hall and scooping a Golden Globe and two Emmys for her turn as a young Queen Elizabeth II in The Crown, while Grant has been in Gosford Park, Downton Abbey, and The Scarlet Pimpernel.
The film premiered at SXSW London, and both stars are excited about the prospect of audiences experiencing their unconventional and earthy take on period drama, which Foy points out is 'probably more like real life' anyway.
Foy and Grant also discuss their experiences with period dramas, with Foy recalling her breakthrough role in Little Dorrit and Grant mentioning his recent filming of Celebrity Traitors at Ardross Castle in the Scottish Highlands.
In Savage House, Foy and Grant's characters lead double lives, with a great love relationship but also shagging the servants, showcasing a complex and unconventional relationship that Foy enjoys, saying they are 'totally committed to each other, even though it seems that they’re not.'
The film's explicit content and unique take on period drama have generated buzz, making it a must-see for fans of the genre and those looking for something new and exciting.
Savage House is now in cinemas, offering audiences a chance to experience this bold and unconventional take on period drama.
