There aren’t many filmmakers who could entice such a stellar cast of actors to a project before even giving them the screenplay – but it’s exactly what transpired with Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk, as stars Mark Rylance and Barry Keoghan explain to us that they didn’t even receive the script before signing on to the project.

DunkirkRylance and Keoghan play Mr. Dawson and George, respectively, who represent the nautical leg of this stirring war drama, as characters who are travelling to Dunkirk on a modest sized boat to help on the seemingly impossible rescue mission. Given the film moves seamlessly between different characters in different situations, we ask the duo if they can get emotionally caught up in the film and in other narrative arcs.

 

They also talk about the heroism of their characters, while Keoghan tells us what it was like working so closely with Rylance in this endeavour. Finally we ask Rylance about his collaborations with Spielberg, and why the esteemed director’s The Kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara has been put on hold.

 

Watch the full interview below…

Synopsis

In May 1940, Germany advanced into France, trapping Allied troops on the beaches of Dunkirk. Under air and ground cover from British and French forces, troops were slowly and methodically evacuated from the beach using every serviceable naval and civilian vessel that could be found. At the end of this heroic mission, 330,000 French, British, Belgian and Dutch soldiers were safely evacuated.

Dunkirk is released on July 21st, you can read our 5* review of the film right here.