Herzog gave Bloom one line of direction for 'Bucking Fastard' love scene
“You are in bed, and you have two women in your arms. How you deal with it, I cannot give instructions.” Werner Herzog said that was the full extent of his direction to Orlando Bloom for a threesome scene in “Bucking Fastard.” The director and star described the moment while presenting the film at the San Sebastián Film Festival, according to Variety.
Bloom plays the title character, known as the Bucking Fastard. Rooney Mara and Kate Mara lead the film as two deeply intertwined sisters, Jean and Joan Holbrooke, who speak in unison, love the same man and share the same dreams, according to Variety and the San Sebastián Film Festival. Bloom said his character is sensitive and quickly out of his depth in the scene. No swagger. Just nerves.
The San Sebastián conversation came less than two weeks after “Bucking Fastard” had its world premiere, Variety reported on 18 September. Herzog is a recipient of this year’s Donostia Award, the festival’s honour for a long career in film. The festival programmed the film, which runs 109 minutes and was directed by Herzog, as a Donostia Award screening.
Bloom had wanted another go. He was upset with Herzog after the director captured his main scene in just one take, according to Deadline. One take is fast, even by festival standards. Herzog did not offer another.
In the story, limo driver Mulroney has a regular threesome going with two women, according to a Variety review published on 3 September. That arrangement sets up the bedroom scene Bloom and Herzog discussed in Spain. Bloom told the San Sebastián audience his character cannot keep up.
Kate Mara said making the film with her sister Rooney was “magical,” while Bloom said acting alongside the two sisters felt uncanny, according to Reuters. The cast also includes Domhnall Gleeson alongside Kate Mara, Rooney Mara and Bloom, according to La Biennale. The screenplay was written by Herzog, with Peter Zeitlinger as cinematographer and Marco Capalbo as editor.
The festival run continued with a TIFF screening on Sunday, 20 September listed as presented with open captions, or written dialogue shown on screen, according to TIFF.
What makes this stand out is the method. A film-maker known for elaborate shoots in difficult places chose to give almost no guidance for an intimate scene. For fans following the autumn festivals, it offers a clear sense of how Herzog works with actors.
