Barry Keoghan, now officially a Cannes frontman, is considering the idea of one day ascending the steps of the palace as a director.
“I love it,” says the 33-year-old. Hollywood Reporter. “However, I will spend most of my time on set making people understand what I am saying.” The sweet tones of that thick Irish accent are crystal clear over the phone; THR puts him. “Believe me, I’m talking,” Keoghan replies slow“.
The star gave us 20 minutes of his time between filming Sam Mendes’ long-awaited Beatles movies — a four-film cinematic event, coming in 2028 — to talk about his latest project, Kantemir Balagov’s film Bean follow up, Butterfly jam. This happens to be the first film Keoghan’s Wolfcub Productions has brought to the Croisette. The actor was last here (without Wolfcub) with Andrea Arnold bird in 2024, and made his debut at Cannes alongside Yorgos Lanthimos in 2017. Kill the sacred deer. “There’s something animalistic about Cannes for me,” he says of the interesting pattern of titles that follow him.
It’s no exaggeration to say Keoghan’s rise since then Sacred deer He was an astronomer. It’s an apt description given the breadth of The Irishman’s (MCU) CV Eternity,HBO Chernobyland the tragic comedy of Martin McDonagh Inchirin Panchayat) and the A-list co-stars he collected along the way (as in a Christopher Nolan film DunkirkEmerald Fennel Saltburn And most recently in the Cillian Murphy final Peaky Blinders picnic Immortal man).
But Keoghan is keen to keep his list eclectic, and with that comes a desire to work with up-and-coming artists and the best that European cinema has to offer. “Besides commercial filmmaking, [I want] “I make films with directors who have one or two films behind them,” he says. THR. “I always try to find that balance and not stay in one path.”
For a long time now, he has been in touch with Balagov over his award win BeanHe stated that he would like to work with the Russian director. The product of that conversation is set to premiere at the festival’s Directors’ Fortnight. It follows newbie Talha Akdogan, whom Keoghan admits felt somewhat protective of – “I felt like Colin Farrell did to me!” – Like Pete, a 16-year-old living in the Circassian community in New Jersey (after the Russian Empire conquered Circassia in the 18th century, the entire ethnic group was exiled or massacred). Here, his stepfather (Keogan) and aunt (Riley Keough) run a restaurant specializing in Circassian cuisine, but the teenager finds himself balancing a struggling business with his aspirations to become a wrestler.
The subject prompts Keogan to talk openly about drawing on his tumultuous upbringing and journey to fatherhood — he spent many of his childhood years in foster care, and welcomed son Brando in 2022 — while making it. Butterfly jam: “It’s okay to be you as a parent, and I learned that by being me. This is how I do it, and this is how I show love.”
Here, Keoghan fills us in on his plans for Cannes, talks about the writers, directors and projects he’d like to risk for his Wolfcub debut, and reveals what it’s been like living life as the eccentric Sir Ringo Starr: “I can’t wait for people to see it.”
Were you familiar with Cantemir’s work before? Butterfly jam?
Yes, so I saw Bean And I absolutely loved it. I just love European cinema, I think so [Balagov] Incredibly talented. I always look for someone who can, if anything, take me out of my comfort zone, and besides making commercial films, I want to make films with directors who have one or two films behind them. So I always try to find that balance and not stay in one lane.
I think I contacted Cantemir [him] Ages ago. Maybe it was on Twitter or something. So I said, “I’m a big fan, and I’d love for us to meet up and talk and see what you’re interested in, and if we can put something together.” He came back to me, and he was a big fan too. [He said]”Barry, this is amazing. I don’t have anything right now, but I’ll keep you in mind. Hopefully we can work together on something.” It was the same with[[Crime 101 Director]Bart Layton. I had this exchange with Bart. This is how it happens.
How to describe what Butterfly jam Is it about and who is your character?
It’s a story about a family in America, but we shot it in France, so [we] It kind of kept that European touch to it. I play a father and it follows my son, who basically becomes a wrestler, as a teenager – the world of high school and the drama that comes with it, and adjusting to it. You know, thinking that you know the world and that you’re at an age where you can now do the things you want. It follows my son and brings us into a community, a Circassian family, which is a hermetic community. I think they’re based on a community in New Jersey, and that brings us there. We run a business and a restaurant. We sell Circassian [cuisine]It’s a potato pie. Kind of like an Irish stew. It’s just proper traditional. We are famous for making them and I am trying to start my business. At the same time, you have to have respect as a father and fight all that selfishness trying to run a business – but you’re also trying to raise a son. my sister, [played by] Riley, she’s been there constantly, like a mother to my son, and I don’t want to give that away too much, but fundamentally, it’s a community film. If you have seen Beanshe will expect Cantemir’s touch on her.
Was that a good education for you, learning about the Circassian community?
Yes, because it is very specific, and you don’t want to try or try to do it. But at the same time, if the director has confidence in what you’re doing and you know that the spirit of what you’re doing is there… I think you go down certain paths that sometimes may be… [not be rooted in] Realistic stuff. So, once Cantemir and everyone was on set – because there were a few people from the Circassian community – once they were all in good shape, I felt like I was in completely safe hands.
And you play the father of Talha’s character?
Yes. He’s a newcomer and he’s super cool. He’s a beautiful boy. We filmed it chronologically, and it was beautiful to watch him grow, achieve his goals and become a professional. I felt like Colin Farrell did to me, you know, that kind of thing, that Cillian [Murphy] hair [toward] Me too. You pride yourself on wanting to set standards… and you want to lead by example. He is amazing and very committed and wants to learn and wants to be a part of it [it]. To be honest, we have a beautiful, wonderful cast and crew.
I read it, for your recent efforts Peaky Blinders In this role, you connect with Duke through your complex relationship with your father and parenting in general. Did any of that come up again in this project?
Yes, of course. naturally. This time, I have a kid who could probably hit me and wrestle me to the ground. (He laughs.) That’s the difference, but Brando [Keoghan’s 3 ½-year-old] Maybe you can do it too. In fact, to be honest, he was already boxing with boxing gloves! But no, you’re touching on a lot of your stuff and chords and chords, and I think that’s where I bring a new angle to it. I am a father. There are new feelings, new emotions, there are new experiences and new chapters that I am approaching. It’s nice to play a role that’s not the traditional father [challenge] Parents People tend to have a version of themselves, which doesn’t always exist – stepparents. But it’s okay to be you as a parent, and I’ve learned that by being me. This is how I do it, this is how I show love. This may not be the way we all see it, or the way we are all used to, but this is the way I show my feelings, and I speak the truth. So I wanted to lean towards that.
It is also the first film that my production company, Wolfcub Productions, has brought to Cannes.
Congratulations.
Ah, thank you. It’s also another animal-themed movie, because I went with it Kill the sacred deerI went with bird And now I went with Butterfly jam As part of Wolfcub Productions. There’s something about the animal in the tide It was soft, for me.
You’re no stranger to Cannes, that’s for sure. Does it seem less surreal than ever?
You only feel it as soon as you land. All the people who came before you, the historical moments they went through, and it’s so amazing. I went with Yorgos [Lanthimos] For the first time, I loved it. I brought my film camera, my Canon, and took pictures. And it’s just beautiful. It’s a celebration. I want to be there for Talha and everyone and celebrate with them.
And Riley – have you worked together before?
Technically, yes, Hurry tomorrowBecause it was the sound of the phone call. I thought to myself, “Oh, we worked together!” And she was like, “Did we do that?” And I was like, “Yes!” And it is [said,] “Oh yeah, we did!” So this is our second film together. (He laughs.) And we are cousins, this is crazy! But we are not. No, I’ve been watching Riley all day, honestly. She’s unbelievable. I was a fan of hers and doing scenes with her…you never know what’s going to happen. You really don’t know what’s coming. It is the physicality of that unknown that is unpredictable. There are actresses I’ve always wanted to work with — Patricia Arquette might be one of them — but Riley is one of them and she has that rawness. It’s absolutely incredible. “I had a lot of fun with that,” I told her. There’s a scene in it, we’re in the kitchen, and on paper, it goes a certain way. But it was a breath of fresh air when you don’t know where you’re going and you’re just trying to match it.
How would you describe the Cantemir process?
He is a legend. He is an absolute legend. Again, such a talented guy. He will get where he wants to by not making you feel it [like] You did it wrong. This is not necessarily to say that [other] People do that. But he’s not going to come right out and say, “Cool, but do it this way.” He’ll say, “Well, where do you think we can?” [go now]? Do you think at this point we can get that to work? I think it’s a nice approach. I really admire him because, again, I asked to be in his movie and I want to be part of his process. So whatever he does, I’m intrigued. I want to learn it and watch it. I would come over on the days I wasn’t there and look at how he was doing. I also want to come and help Talha as well and be there for him. It got to the point where he was there, doing it all, but I still came and he did it [say]”I don’t need you!” (He laughs.) But I wanted to be a part of it and watch Cantemir. Jomo [Fray]our DOP, was great too. But it’s cool. I would love to work with him again.
Could you be tempted to direct yourself one day?
I can, I can. Yes, I would love to. However, I don’t think people will understand what I’m saying. “Can you do it this way? This way? This way? Yeah, whatever.” Did you get me. Most of the time I’m on set will be spent doing that, making people understand what I’m saying.
Hey, I totally understand you now!
Believe me, I speak slowly. (He laughs.) But I would love to [direct]. I’ve always been interested in directing. I remember directing a short film for Gucci/Dazed as part of a celebration of young filmmakers and young artists. There were 15 of us who made these little ads showcasing the new Gucci bag and I shot a short film. I chose a non-actor and called him ‘the animal’, funnily enough, and shot him with a 16mm lens and had a great time working with and appreciating each section. Realizing and seeing that every minute counts on set, and understanding why [people are like]”,” Let’s go! Let’s go! “(He laughs.) Understand why people sometimes take a stance because you’re trying to get the shot.
Maybe the next time we talk, it will be the film you directed at Cannes.
Here we go. This will happen. I’m going to make a movie, an animal movie.
We have to ask: How does it feel to carry a little Ringo Starr with you?
Is this what you see?!
I mean spiritually!
(He laughs.) No, that’s good if you see it. it’s great. It is a pleasure to play Ringo Starr, and this is another chapter in my life that I will be very proud of. We’re in the middle of it now. Sam Mendes and the whole team here, Greg [Fraser] Cinematographer W [producer] Julie [Pastor]All of them, they were absolutely like family to me and the guys [Paul Mescal, Harris Dickinson, Joseph Quinn] also. We all became like brothers. It’s been an incredible process. I am grateful for that. I can’t wait for people to see it.
As someone who has done a lot already, how would you describe what excites Barry Keoghan these days, through acting roles but also as a producer?
This is the fun part, right? With Wolfcub Productions, we have Netflix [project] It’s in development, something I can’t announce yet. We have Butterfly jam And something else is very close to being announced as well. There are some things. We have a project called lemonadeIt is a story about foster care at home in Ireland. It’s very personal to me. So I’m looking for projects. I’m looking for the book. I’m looking for first-time directors and people like that. [I want to be] A safe place where people can bring projects and talk about them [them]and we can go into it and see if it fits into the list I’m trying to create.
Places like[[Saltburn Producers]LuckyChap and[[Sacred deer Producers]Element Pictures has been huge for me. Working with the guys, seeing how they work when they’re on set, it’s things like that where I use my experience now. But as for what I want to do next? It’s in the air. Although it may not seem fun, you always have to love it, want to work with the director, and [you] We want it to be a new kind of challenge, you know? I don’t want to interfere with the parts you’ve already played.
