Felicity Jones, the award-winning British actress known for her captivating roles in films like The Theory of Everything, joins the conversation with her insights on the filmmaking process for The Brutalist. She reveals her superstition habits and her journey from radio acting to film stardom. Topics range from filming a Christmas movie in summer to her amusing avoidance of musicals. The hilarious notion of a potential family connection adds a delightful twist, uniting them through a shared love of Birmingham’s unique cuisine.
Felicity Jones emphasizes the significance of cinematography in 'The Brutalist', showcasing how visual storytelling enhances the film's artistic quality.
The podcast explores themes of superstition and vulnerability, as Felicity shares her experiences of anxiety related to success and motherhood.
Deep dives
Pursuit of Everlasting Youth
The conversation opens with a humorous discussion about beauty treatments, highlighting the speaker's recent experience with a facial that involved a unique procedure using trout sperm to achieve youthful-looking skin. This unconventional choice emphasizes a societal obsession with maintaining youth and beauty, which resonates with contemporary beauty trends where individuals often seek drastic measures for aesthetic enhancements. The playful banter serves to lighten the topic, revealing the lengths people might go to feel confident in their appearance while underscoring the sometimes absurd nature of beauty routines. The underlying message reflects a broader cultural fixation on youth and the lengths one might go to prevent aging.
Felicity Jones and The Brutalist
Felicity Jones discusses her recent film, 'The Brutalist,' which has received critical acclaim and awards nominations, including BAFTA and Golden Globe nods. The narrative follows an architect, played by Adrian Brody, who seeks to build a new life in America after surviving a concentration camp, illustrating themes of resilience and ambition in the face of trauma. Jones expresses admiration for the film's cinematography, emphasizing its stunning visuals and the choice to shoot on film, which contributed to the project's artistic quality. The film's backdrop of architecture and personal struggle reflects the intertwining of personal and historical narratives, making it a compelling watch.
Culinary Creations and Family Heritage
The episode delves into the culinary efforts of the host and her guest, who prepare a variety of dishes, including an onion and anchovy tart and potato salad, showcasing their passion for food and family traditions. The conversation touches on how food plays a central role in both their lives, with personal anecdotes about cooking with family members and the comfort that comes from sharing meals. The importance of cooking as a bonding experience is highlighted, revealing a deep connection to their roots and the nostalgia evoked by traditional dishes. This segment celebrates not only the joy of cooking but also the rich narratives that food brings to family gatherings.
Reflections on Superstition and Insecurity
The discussion transitions to the topic of superstition, with Felicity Jones sharing her thoughts on how success and aging can lead to increased anxiety and insecurity. She admits to developing new superstitions as she navigates her career and personal life, particularly after becoming a parent, which heightens her sense of vulnerability. This introspective moment resonates with many who experience similar feelings of apprehension as they take on new challenges and responsibilities in life. The candid conversation over the impacts of superstition reflects broader themes of fear, control, and the changing perceptions of safety as life evolves.
2025 is our year of the Oscar & BAFTA nominees, and this week we have this years 'Best Supporting Actress' nominee Felicity Jones joining us for lunch. Felicity is currently starring in The Brutalist which is absolutely phenomenal, and she told us all about how the beautiful film came together. We discovered the Birmingham born actress is very superstitious, how she got her first role in the radio series ‘The Archers’, filming a Christmas film in the peak of summer, and why she will never be able to star in a musical! The biggest revelation is that we might even be related, or we all just love a wild Birmingham delicacy… We’re rooting for you Felicity, best of luck with all of the award nominations, you’re a superstar! The Brutalist is playing in cinemas now.