'Saltburn' Director Emerald Fennel Breaks Down the Arrival Scene | Vanity Fair

Academy award winning filmmaker Emerald Fennel discusses one of the most meaningful scenes from her film 'Saltburn.' Get her full breakdown of the arrival scene, from working with the art department to create the glamorous yet toxic spirit of the film to working alongside actors Jacob Elordi and Barry Keoghan.
MGM & Amazon Studios will release SALTBURN in select theaters Friday, November 17, 2023 and expanding Thursday, November 23, 2023
Director of Photography: Adam Lance Garcia
Talent: Emerald Fennell
Producer: Madison Coffey
Line Producer: Romeeka Powell
Associate Producer: Rafael Vasquez
Production Manager: Natasha Soto-Albors
Production Coordinator: Tania Jones
Talent Booker: Meredith Judkins
Assistant Camera: Chloe Ramos
Gaffer: David Alexander
Audio Engineer: Sean Paulsen
Production Assistant: Nicholas Sims
Post Production Supervisor: Edward Taylor
Post Production Coordinator: Jovan James
Supervising Editor: Kameron Key
Assistant Editor: Andy Morell
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[@catie5337]

I need 4 hours of her doing this with every scene in the movie

[@KtmcBurney]

Me too.

[@Jemethyy]

Bring back director commentary on blurays!!

[@catie5337]

@@Jemethyy yes pleasee!!!! unfortunately I don’t think they’ll release Saltburn on bluray since it’s an amazon prime release 💔

[@teddythecruel4539]

TOTALLY.

[@danbuckleyactor]

Same!

[@nukent]

i NEED her to dissect the curtain lunch scene, it was absolutely brilliant i was in awe of the details.

[@rubyreed9392]

she talks about it on the directors cut podcast!

[@ingridbaima4276]

where can i watch it@@rubyreed9392

[@littlemissliv100]

Me too!! Absolutely brilliant

[@lucaspippet7155]

YES YES YES

[@mariamivaneska]

@@rubyreed9392thank you, I’m going to search it

[@FlynnCompetent]

"The constant dismissal of beauty" - That sums up people like this perfectly. I grew up with a family where half of them grew up very wealthy and they will do that all the time. Constantly play down how grand something is or how pretty a view is. This film captured their complacency in opulence so so well.

[@en1909s9iah]

Yet he makes sure he mentions there are Rubens on the wall.

[@MarinaAndTheDevil]

Despite it making sense, there's something so frustrating about wealthy people acting like that. That whole pathos of affluence.

[@legmcmuffinZ]

Same!! One side of my family grew up normally and the other side are super wealthy and upperclass. This movie reminded me a lot of my cousins who grew up in a castle that looks a lot like this. They took everything for granted and it was just normal for them. Huge black tie parties and evening dinner dress. Any time I visited it was so surreal, yet they would just complain about things as if it were normal to live like that.

[@SheHeartsTheHighStreetChannel]

‘Complacency in opulence’ is such a brilliant phrase! Captures it perfectly!

[@sohara....]

​​@@legmcmuffinZ ... and we're ALL like that! We all take what's wonderful in our lives for granted.

[@mwkeomdjdkwosmdkewkdomrkdn8961]

this was WAY too short! I need this woman to make a director's commentary version of the movie! she's such an incredible genius creator and I need to see her directing more movies!

[@westaybuff]

Same! Promising Young Woman is also stellar and streaming on FreeVee

[@noligray5828]

I agree. I want to know much more. And this is the first time ever I find director's commentary as interesting as the movie itself. Maybe also because the British culture is completely alien to me. I spent years trying to understand it and I still can not.

[@someguy42093]

But the blu ray when it comes out. Those always include director’s commentary. “Directors commentary version” isn’t a thing Have you ever own a dvd or a blu ray? Do you even know what a dvd is?

[@dirkcaber5740]

She's such an excellent narrator too. It's not just all things she has to say: she says them all in such an interesting way.

[@Ashethetics]

@@someguy42093I really hope it does! I would live for the extras. Sometimes ones on Prime don’t come out on DVD though.

[@ginalee21]

give this woman an unlimited budget to make all the stories in her head into films

[@bunburry]

I second that!

[@lenaschwarz2516]

Third!

[@zpaztrik1418]

Please don't 🙏🏼

[@raniya.6734]

And cast Jacob Elordi in every single one of them

[@CommunityTrashPicker]

lock her up and stop the nonsense

[@ocarett]

that was my favorite part of it all, the fact that it was this sorto of "period drama meets early 2000's" the scene where they're all cuddled up in the library watching superbad was just GENIUS and so telling of the character's dynamics

[@joeduncan08]

This is exactly what a director should be. What a talent.

[@haroldjoseph8296]

She can't direct traffic 😅😅😅

[@joeduncan08]

@@haroldjoseph8296 her two critically acclaimed films say otherwise. Try again.

[@onyxharrison8617]

​@@haroldjoseph8296what's the point of this comment? lol you just look stupid

[@burritoomg]

Emerald Fennel: "This is a period drama" Barry Keoghan: 🧛

[@jamesmason8436]

😂😂😂😂

[@gxflores6731]

LMFAOO

[@Ashethetics]

OH NO 😂🫣

[@StephanieJacob-o7l]

This movie is now one of my absolute favourites. I have rarely been so engrossed in the scenery, acting, music and costume design of a film. Truly brilliant.

[@harrypotter-mc1sq]

Yep ot reminds me of 2001 space odessy in that o cam watch it repeatedly and just get lost in little detaild

[@Z3dude12]

i am BEGGING for a Blu-Ray DVD release of this movie with a 4 hour commentary PLEASE EMERALD i NEED IT. This was one of my favorite movies of the year, and I can't wait to watch it again.

[@garyarcher4933]

YES! BEGGING! !

[@jayr3053]

It’s on Amazon prime now. Just watched it

[@noligray5828]

Yes.

[@samuelthomas2556]

The ease with which Jacob Elordi gives the house tour is not talked about enough. You really get the sense that he has lived there his whole life and the beauty and pageantry of it all means very little to him. It doesn’t feel faked or imposed, it feels lived in and completely authentic. Brilliant performance.

[@jennys.2440]

I love how detail-oriented and passionate she is!

[@Blacksheep-lz5gb]

“Who would say no to Felix, no one I don’t think.” Emerald says, and in the beginning of the movie, oliver says “it was impossible not to love Felix.” She ended this interview almost similarly to the way the film began. Genius!

[@elizabethbennet4791]

ugh i would

[@sabichonex]

"I really don't know anyone who's 'nice'. I'm not 'nice'." It's something I've always felt, but it's the first time I've heard someone actually articulate it.

[@BillyRankin-q5g]

Well there are plenty of people who enjoy doing nice things for others I think that makes you "nice"

[@dani.p]

Emerald Fennell is the epitome of the phrase "The girls that get it, get it" ❤🙌🏻

[@douchebag4484]

The girls whose birthday party made it on to a class magazine usually do get what they want yes. Funny how life works

[@SpudSpudoni]

@@douchebag4484 Now that's what we call, a Saltburn.

[@stxrstrxckmxteo515]

@@douchebag4484😂😂😂

[@robinyourpsychicgirlfriend]

I'm a fan girl now.

[@HeyItzJenine]

I'm very pleased she's breaking down the style choices of the rooms and items and clothing and I'm also pleased that I was absorbing this while watching the way she intended. I love movies shot with this kind of stuff in mind, it immerses you more.

[@elizabethbennet4791]

yes!!!!

[@steven3814]

She really nailed the 2006 fashion references. I was a freshman in high school and remember all of the things she was talking about.

[@agirlhasnoname8279]

I could listen to her all day long, she‘s genius I‘m so happy she made this masterpiece come to life

[@LoverlyLivia]

We need to bring commentary tracks back because I’d listen to her talk about this movie for 30 hours if I could

[@oldmanyemiyamtvg491]

Gotta give it to her. She directed one of the best films of 2023. Saltburn is a one of my favorites this year!! Congratulations on this great movie!! I will be waiting for your next film!!

[@MaríaRobalino-R]

production design!!!! give the whole team an oscar

[@noligray5828]

I would give na Oscar to the actor who played the buttler. (I don't know if any not British actor could ever do the job, by the way).

[@belleboucles3646]

I’m obsessed with the film but even more obsessed with the director. Totally get her vision and attention to detail, that’s why the film works👏

[@mskimberly.jones1114]

This woman is a genius. She should win a Oscar for best picture. She got rob in that category for Promising Young Woman which is my fav movie.

[@empireoflightz]

PYW was the best film that year 100%. The best films very rarely win oscars.

[@elizabethbennet4791]

pyw?@@empireoflightz

[@ILOVEOILOIL]

I love this director!! fearless..hysterical..dark..brilliant... I love listening to her describe the way her mind works.. no wonder all the actors etc love working with her ... she's an incredible artist ..we needed someone like her to 'get back to real art of filmmaking'.... Bravo Emerald!!

[@fancyhoodlum]

The cast was perfect for this movie and the style of this movie was on par

[@ironwidow6940]

The lighting in this movie was absolutely beautiful I really need her to break every single scene down its fascinating

[@caitlinl9494]

i need a directors cut of this movie with emerald just explaining every choice ever

[@MassiveFanFilms]

love how she hypes up the actors so much. wild film

[@Londonguy1987_]

I’d pay money to watch her break down the ending or the “vampire” scene 😂😂😂

[@TheMrdominator1997]

I really had a crush on Barry so thought the only way to finish the movie was a full frontal

[@oliviah5651]

anyone else just finish watching saltburn and just wants to soak up all the analysis?

[@kats4606]

yes! might go back and watch the whole thing again after devouring all the analysis, so wonderful 🙌

[@lizzybeth22]

I watched it twice in 3 days!​@@kats4606

[@spaceface79]

I could listen to Emerald discussing these topics all day. So articulate and engaging

[@Qu33nMary444]

I absolutely *LOVED* Emerald in Call The Midwife, I'm happy beyond words to see her flourishing as a director ❤

[@Erasureeraser]

She was also Camilla Bowles in The Crown, great actress too

[@FernandaHaiabe]

I'll never get tired of listening to Emerald talking so passionately about her (and the team) craft.

[@beewilson7144]

This is so creative and unique I love it. I could listen to her talk about this movie all day.

[@andiec8024]

Also super accurate how scary Duncan the head butler was. Going to wealthy friends’ houses as a kid/teenager, I’d meet their parents who are (seemingly at least) super nice and warm and casual, and find that the scariest people are actually the help, mostly the “head” help - they’re the ones who act all formal and have all these codes of behavior (leave your bag here, don’t bring ur plate to the kitchen sink etc) and u find yourself sort of wanting to get THEIR approval. It’s hilarious

[@KreepyKaren]

Now I am convinced Oliver was IN LOVE with Felix. Oliver was aware of everything especially when it came to him.

[@givebackmybreadsticks]

i think he wanted to consume felix, to become him fully

[@kathsleeve6549]

prolly just obsessed with the idea of him. he loved and hated him.

[@amayanaomitamar9612]

MORE OF THESE IMMEDIATELYYYYY there’s so much to unpack and she explains everything so wellll I was disappointed when it ended. Thank you Fennel for this brilliant movie

[@robinyourpsychicgirlfriend]

I am enthralled by her description, insight, and attention to detail, I could listen to her forever. So intelligent and creative. Amazing. I wish I had a fraction of what she's able to do. Well done. I want more.

[@sylvipuente]

Very impressed by this director, makes me believe movies have a hope

[@regandiffin5368]

100%

[@crin28]

Fully agree that there needs to be a breakdown of this entire film. 🙌🏽

[@noligray5828]

I always wondered how the people in the previous centuries lived, being constantly on display. And this film showed me just that (and how detatched one had to become to be able to live like this). I think this is one of the best movies I've ever seen. It showed me so much. So much food for thought. Especially after wathing this video after watching the film.

[@elizabethbennet4791]

YES!! GODDANG you described. itway better than she did.

[@trinaq]

I'm looking forward to this movie, since I enjoyed Emerald's directorial debut, Promising Young Woman. Having Carey Mulligan also be on board is an added bonus, as well as the 2000's nostalgia.

[@daniellavaladez7820]

Promising Young Woman was one in my top 5 favorite movies of 2020, so I’m really looking forward to Saltburn, too.

[@lizzybeth22]

​@@daniellavaladez7820I don't think you will be disappointed

[@AdamC2013]

I watched this film a few months ago and immediately wanted to watch it again. Such a vibe.

[@smdnga325]

where did you watch it?

[@AdamC2013]

@@smdnga325 bfi London film festival screening

[@Mdarghhhh5883]

Where to watch this?

[@jerryli3672]

Amazon prime

[@lostboyfromsoho]

I want to see a hundred more movies of this quality. It's amazing and I'm obsessed with it, no doubt about it.

[@iamelizarosalind]

She is an absolute creative genius. I could listen to her all day !!

[@johnbill739]

I DEMAND MORE OF THIS. please.

[@Mrsknightful]

Omg I'm obsessed with her. What an artist.

[@ouui]

The director herself mentioned the secret history, I was thinking about it too watching this movie!! Literally my favorite vibes.

[@hH-lc1to]

True in a vague way. But let's not kid ourselves. This is an interesting project or first draft. The secret history is mint.

[@CTScenic]

Id like her to develop Secret History miniseries... Transpose it to UK tho. Locations and actors will be better.

[@hH-lc1to]

@@CTScenic with great respect, no. Not her. Not the UK. Vermont is where it happens. Artistic liberties should be taken elsewhere.

[@CTScenic]

@@hH-lc1to my thought (since we're just indulging here anyway) was that americans today might be overly confused by the idea of rich people wanting to be intellectuals.

[@hH-lc1to]

@@CTScenic I don't believe I've ever been more on the same page with someone ! With that caveat, I wholeheartedly agree ! 👌💯

[@noligray5828]

The chandalier and the fly trap. PERFECT. Exactly what I see everywhere in the UK. In a real life, and in a symbolic way.

[@annasafavi1659]

What an amazing and passionate director! All the details of the movie are amazing!!

[@shaneencalade4988]

Brilliant.... never knew her before this movie. Now I'm just fascinated by her. I've been watching interviews with her and she's just someone you would enjoy sitting and talking with. Her eye for details and storytelling is amazing.

[@lizzybeth22]

Have u seen Promising Young Woman?

[@shaneencalade4988]

@@lizzybeth22 No but I have friends that said I must watch…. They already knew how great she is. Ugh… I guess I’ve been under a rock.

[@lizzybeth22]

@@shaneencalade4988 no I'm sure you haven't been. Sometimes we just don't hear that much about a movie. But I'm pretty sure if you liked salt burn, you will like PYW. I believe she got an Oscar for best screenplay or something like that

[@joshsargent9599]

I think I lover her.. I need her to do this for the entire movie..

[@MesQueUnGirl]

i love her circling things on what is just a black screen @11:00. bring lighting back

[@harrymorris6074]

What a talent. Incredible film

[@LiaAwesomeness]

"i just don't know anyone nice. not really" top 10 bourgeoisie quotes

[@GR-wr2it]

I could listen to her all day

[@cineshri12]

Thank you Vanity fair for being as a free film school!❤

[@LOGAN_BURNS]

Emerald Fennell should be the one to do the reboot of the ‘Twilight’ saga either as new movies or as the show runner of the show if they’re still doing that 🤞🤞

[@Dewdropbug]

Could listen to her creative choices for hours

[@Butterflymentality]

"I don't think I know anyone truly nice." - so true

[@darrenwalshe8513]

Best movie of 2023 hands down, Barry keoghan is a talent that comes along rarely, he's that captivating on screen, something about him we can all relate to ❤

[@jamesmason8436]

He actually looks like what we all think we look like to others: weird and odd.

[@saqib7965]

Oppenhiemer is the best 8.4. Saltburn 7.4

[@TheCasimir94]

I loved the fact that it was 2006! I need more movies set in the naughties with all its cringy fashion.

[@friendgray1]

All fashion is cringy after a certain amount of time.

[@jamesmason8436]

I managed to avoid most of that cringe fashion, thankfully. The weird hairstyles, especially. Did buy bell bottom jeans, though 😂

[@Fyre_Blake]

What made it 2006 except all the cigarettes and no smartphones?

[@lrrroftheplanetomicronpersei8]

@@Fyre_Blake The banner at Oxford says class of 2006 at the beginning so the summer at Saltburn is 2007. I think it's meant to make everything less elegant and further the disconnect between the audience observing these events. And then obviously it serves a function later on

[@samanthamallac6170]

Absolutely fascinating. More of Emerald please!!

[@RR-mv1vr]

Need this to be at least 4hours long…loved it

[@Nmh86]

I was immersed in this film, really enjoyed watching all of it.

[@luckyjay778]

This movie and Triangle of Sadness were my two favs of 2023. Both took angles on the wealthy. Both had great detail that someone with ADHD/OCD can appreciate. I’ve called this film a twist of the Talented Mr. Ripey and Silence of the Lambs.

[@angussymons]

Triangle of Sadness was released in 2022

[@willowbranch5237]

I thought the exact same thing about the comparison of The Talented Mr Ripley

[@tico5058]

@@angussymonsTo be fair the past few years have gone by pretty quickly 😅

[@saqib7965]

Ditto lol I saw that comparison too talented Mr Ripley was a similar film.

[@aoifeandginny5569]

Can she do this for the whole movie? I actually really enjoyed it.

[@johndoeusa65]

Yes, I loooove when filmmakers pay so much attention to details and making so much just out of small things like empty cans on coke.

[@SamGaleFilms]

"And all of the dead flies. RIP." I love her.

[@smassey6848]

She is absolutely brilliant which shows through this movie. Absolutely ❤ it! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@shirleyfrodelly796]

I’m in love with her passion for filmmaking

[@whatsyourthing]

Wow so much detail, great to hear the director's notes, so much stuff I obviously took in subconsciously but she points out everything, wonderful.

[@kentsilverfour]

I also confirm that the reverse tour take it is "hugely hugely" important

[@russelsheartinacage]

I started University in 2005 in England with quite a few posh people, and it was crazy seeing how much they nailed the "period"

[@bernardp.1299]

EMERALD IS A GEEENNNIIIIUUUUUSSS!!!!!!! I look forward to your future movies!

[@heatherweathr]

Livestrong wristband and airplane seatbelt belt…the ptsd she just gave me wow

[@ellidevinebrady]

This is the most interesting video of scene analysis in a film!

[@bubblybridget56]

commentary like this on the entire movie is a must!!

[@BobaTeaBeech]

Such an interesting movie I can’t wait for her future projects! She is so creative!

[@KayGirl216]

Such a brilliant, enthralling, exciting film Emerald. Bravo. ❤

[@betinaoliveira1555]

I want just a full accompaniment of her narrating the choices and nuances of this film

[@vivicafox8707]

10:41 the accuracy of her generally depicting how we as humans describe ourselves is crazy on point- we are in a way in denial of who we really are like who is going to consciously admit they are a bad person to themselves or to anyone for that matter-

[@malex4321]

This movie is just a gift! I can’t stop thinking about it.

[@ClimateScepticSceptic-ub2rg]

I think Quick is based on Steerpike in Gormenghast. Credit to Emerald for reading the books, which once used to be popular among young women at Oxford and is now little read. Certainly none of the film's critics have picked up rhe resemblance.

[@matthew5a]

‘I don’t think any of us are nice, I just don’t know anyone nice, not really’ That is the saddest thing I’ve ever heard, what an uncomfortable existence that must be, there are lots of lovely kind people in the world and it’s an easy and rewarding way to live

[@citrusquilts]

When she's using the word "nice" she's referring to more of a shallow politeness to a fault, not exactly kindness. Kindness isn't always "nice" - think of standing up for a friend, even if it makes the offender angry or uncomfortable. In that moment, you wouldn't be nice, because the interaction is not pleasant in any way. But you are being kind. Nice is fake & performative , kind is real & authentic.

[@tomcarew7926]

Yes there are so many 'lovely' people in this world but Emerald is just highlighting we all wear fake masks - we all have our 'shadow' side if we are totally honest with ourselves. I find Emerald a remarkable director, a great artist - this is the mark of a true creative, to challenge us with the 'uncomfortable'.

[@user-ed7et3pb4o]

@@citrusquiltsI do think it is also a factor of Emerald being extremely posh, and posh circles just being a lot like that - very charming, quite shallow, ultimately quite selfish

[@shreyarao2106]

I understood it to be more that we're all human - capable of some not-so-nice perspectives and behaviours. We sometimes delude ourselves into thinking being nice is a state versus the choices we make daily across situations and relationships. Personally I think it was great food for thought.

[@omarmagana773]

very much hope they release a director’s commentary for the blu-ray 💙 mad, beautiful film 🎞️

[@meadhbhgriffin]

The details this woman considers is just awe inspiring. What a woman, what an incredible eye 👑😎

[@jt7638]

Cannot wait to see it again. Hope it is on Blu ray soon.

[@matthewtavolacci9930]

She seems great, but i have 2-3 people i have met through my life that have been genuinely kind and understanding to all. I think about them a lot because i try and emulate that into my life. I hate she hasn’t has anyone (not a single person) who is unconditionally themselves and nice. Because those people are gifts to us and its such a blessing to find.♥️

[@bstnbby]

I’m genuinely mad this wasn’t 2+ hours long

[@daneman90]

10s across the board this woman is incredible

[@AWJavier0808]

I am so curious how many actors audition to play Felix and which scenes jacob did in his Audition 9:52

[@Ad_Astra2023]

I thought this movie perfectly reflects what ordinary people think of royals and aristocrats; we loathe them for their privilege that they take for granted, but at the same time their way of living and rarity fascinate us. It’s a balance of sort of hate and yearning.

[@AllGoodThings007]

Barry Keoghan, I agree, is a fantastic actor. He’s now one of my favourites

[@katebriscoe6103]

I can’t wait to see what she does next because her films seem to get darker and darker so lord knows what she will do next

[@daultonlitteral3143]

Saltburn was a masterpiece ❤

[@janeelliott6772]

Fascinating. I need to re-watch to appreciate the fine details.

[@Lamq555]

I noticed the live strong bracelet and was immediately impressed about the little details that took me back to the 00’s 😄

[@GooseBallzer44]

"the bathroom is featured very heavily in this movie" 😭😭

[@user-mb8rf7qk5q]

So funny did not even notice it took place in 2006. SUCH a great movie. fav of the year. Huge fan of "..sacred deer" also.