Finn Bennett on ‘Seven Kingdoms,' Fashion and Working with Jodie Foster
CANNES, France – Finn Bennett made his first visit to Cannes to be honored by Chopard with this year's Trophée, awarded annually to emerging actors.
'I didn't really believe it at first,' he said of the initial call. 'I looked up the previous recipients and there are some really amazing people on there — not just well-known, but brilliant actors who do the kind of projects I want to do.'
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Some of those actors have been Gael Garcia Bernal, James McAvoy and Joe Alwyn, among others. The award has a strong track record of spotting talent.
But it was Angelina Jolie that made the evening, serving as this year's godmother of the award. She presented Bennett with the award at a beachside ceremony at the Carlton Beach in Cannes. In his speech, he thanked his agent who had faith in him over a decade ago.
'I think one of the things I'm happiest about is that we can both look at this and be like, 'Wasn't all for nothing.' We're making progress,' he said. Having that support has been pivotal to his career.
'Your agent is reading all those scripts, selecting you for projects, fighting for you. Now that we've moved into more American projects, she's on the phone at midnight — I'm not. I just get to reap the rewards,' he joked.
Some of those rewards are wearing Saint Laurent for the event, as well as on the famous Cannes red carpet.
'It was the first time I wore a real tux,' he said. 'I'd rented a cheap one before, but this was like, 'Wow, this is what it's meant to feel like,'' he said. Chopard also loaned a handmade, battery-free watch. 'I know nothing about watches, but I feel like I've learned so much.'
He's not a quote-unquote fashion person by nature, but that is slowly changing after attending the McQueen Paris Fashion Week show last September. 'It was amazing — the drama, the solemnity. It was a real performance. So yeah, I'm getting more into it. I'd love to go to more shows.'
The Trophée Chopard recognized his growing body of work, including 'Black Doves,' 'Warfare' and 'True Detective: Night Country' opposite Jodie Foster.
The latter role is one of his personal highlights.
'That role could have just been a plot device,' he said. 'But [showrunner] Issa López gave him this massive journey. He really affected me.'
Foster also gave him some of the best of advice of his career. When asking the Oscar winner for tips on preparation, such as if he should run lines during the weekend or do other immersive work, her answer threw him off guard.
The advice? 'Go dancing,' he recalled. 'It was her way of saying: take the work seriously, but don't take yourself too seriously.'
'She's a masterclass — not just in acting, but in how to be a person. She's been famous since she was a child, and none of that has changed her. She's just a good, generous person.'
She also advised him to keep a small, reliable team around him and not an entourage of yes-men. 'Stay grounded' was her overall message.
Bennett is poised for fame with his next role in 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight.' It's the next 'Game of Thrones' spinoff and set for a fall release.
For the role, he got to live the life of a knight learning horseback riding and sword fighting. 'It's like being a child. Someone's saying, 'Come do these things,' and they're paying you to do it. It's amazing.'
The actor was surprised by how heavy swords were, but perfected his moves. Horse riding was his favorite, and something that he will continue to pursue personally.
Bennett's now-bigger breaks have come with new challenges.
'The pressure increases,' he said, comparing his earlier work in U.K.-based productions for British TV to the now-higher stakes of global platforms.
'You're working with more revered and recognizable people. It's not that you're scared of them, but you want to impress them. You want to do a good job,' he said.
That internal pressure has made him more meticulous about his approach to roles. 'I hate using the word 'process,'' he joked, noting that preparation is key.
'For me, it starts with knowing my lines inside out. I have a memory like a sieve, so it takes time. Then I attach feeling to them and try different things out with a friend reading the other lines. I pick the best bits, go in, and do it.'
While he describes himself as 'not an improv guy,' he says he's open to adapting. 'Different roles demand different things. Who knows? Maybe I'll go full method one day and live in the woods for six months.'
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