'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!

[@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

[@trashtrash2829]

lock her up and stop the nonsense

[@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.

[@burritoomg]

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

[@jamesmason8436]

😂😂😂😂

[@gxflores6731]

LMFAOO

[@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.

[@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

[@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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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😂😂😂

[@Blue-ub8ld]

Aka the white rich girls who went to Oxford and are daughters of a famous jewellery designer lol

[@robinyourpsychicgirlfriend]

I'm a fan girl now.

[@user-tx9jw5go2t]

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

[@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

[@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

[@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.

[@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!!!!

[@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!!

[@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

[@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👏

[@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 🙌

[@sassyreggae]

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

[@mariarobalino9366]

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).

[@peaceoutandgoodbye]

This film was beautifully twisted and I absolutely loved it! I really love how the film makes you think it's one thing in the beginning and totally becomes a different beast by the end. The cinematography and soundtrack was stunning and captivating. Seriously the best looking and sounding film of the year. Everyone's performance was spectacular, but the two standouts for me were Barry Keoghan and Jacob Elordi. Both had amazing chemistry together. Barry Keoghan gives yet again another amazing and creepy performance. Jacob Elordi is very charismatic and reminds me so much of someone in my school days, the cool popular guy who everyone likes and gets along with. Definitely one of my favorite films of 2023 for sure. The feelings I felt during the film, like being in awe and even in disgust was a great theater experience. It's definitely not going to be for everyone, but definitely for me. 💙

[@agirlhasnoname8279]

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

[@caitlinl9494]

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

[@fancyhoodlum]

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

[@Qu33nMary444]

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

[@15Candles]

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

[@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!!

[@ironwidow6940]

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

[@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

[@MassiveFanFilms]

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

[@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.

[@sassyreggae]

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

[@sylvipuente]

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

[@regandiffin5368]

100%

[@FernandaHaiabe]

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

[@elizaleonardthings]

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

[@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.

[@beewilson7144]

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

[@spaceface1982]

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

[@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.

[@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

[@johnbill739]

I DEMAND MORE OF THIS. please.

[@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.

[@crin28]

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

[@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

[@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.

[@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

[@marjorieruiz5883]

Where to watch this?

[@jerryli3672]

Amazon prime

[@JuliandratheGreat]

When Emerald introduces herself as “Emerald (Finn-elle)” it reminds me of Keeping Up Appearances ie: Hyacinth “bouquet”. 🤣😂🤣

[@Mrsknightful]

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

[@LiaAwesomeness]

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

[@samanthamallac6170]

Absolutely fascinating. More of Emerald please!!

[@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 ! 👌💯

[@annasafavi1659]

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

[@joshsargent9599]

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

[@aoifeandginny5569]

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

[@GR-wr2it]

I could listen to her all day

[@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.

[@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 🤞🤞

[@Nmh86]

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

[@KayGirl216]

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

[@SamGaleFilms]

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

[@cineshri12]

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

[@jt7638]

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

[@omarmagana773]

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

[@BobaTeaBeech]

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

[@MesQueUnGirl]

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

[@harrymorris6074]

What a talent. Incredible film

[@janeelliott6772]

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

[@RR-mv1vr]

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

[@Dewdropbug]

Could listen to her creative choices for hours

[@smassey6848]

She is absolutely brilliant which shows through this movie. Absolutely ❤ 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.

[@betinaoliveira1555]

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

[@heatheryi]

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

[@bubblybridget56]

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

[@kentsilverfour]

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

[@joenathanhoagland3532]

LOVED THIS. And absolutely loved this movie.

[@silence4682]

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.

[@daneman90]

10s across the board this woman is incredible

[@loversparadiso]

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

[@esapov]

i need more of this

[@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.

[@sassyreggae]

Have u seen Promising Young Woman?

[@shaneencalade4988]

@@sassyreggae 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.

[@sassyreggae]

@@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

[@ellidevinebrady]

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

[@bernardp.1299]

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

[@shirleyfrodelly796]

I’m in love with her passion for filmmaking

[@mgmegt5920]

I cannot say enough how much I enjoyed this film. The level of detail and easter eggs was very Kubrick. I already want to watch it again.

[@KGTiberius]

I’m looking forward to her directorial career!

[@jefflawrence5835]

Beautiful job! Wonderful film

[@meadhbhgriffin]

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

[@snehapradhan5591]

absolutely amazing!

[@malex4321]

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

[@lucaspippet7155]

This was a truly AMAZING film!!

[@lilith8098]

so incredibly thorough and smart

[@gialavendel8020]

absolutely brilliant !

[@symm805]

An amazing movie made by an amazing director!

[@yegra]

EMERALD

[@out9of9Aeo]

This woman is scrumptious ❤

[@simonpatterson3288]

A superb director