Latest news with #Fennell
Metro
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Controversial book adaptation shocks viewers with BDSM sex
Emerald Fennell's controversial adaptation of Wuthering Heights has been met with shock and labelled 'aggressively provocative' by initial audiences. Fennell's 2023 dark comedy Saltburn, starring Barry Keoghan and Jacob Elordi, caused quite the stir when it was released a couple of years ago. The film featured darkly erotic scenes and was praised for its severe sexual content and nudity, as well as its frequent depiction of violence and gore. Because of this huge success, the announcement that Fennell would be directing an adaptation of Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights was met with excitement – and concern from literary fans. The casting of Jacob Elordi and Margot Robbie respectively as Heathcliff and Cathy, raised major eyebrows, and now it's been reported that an initial first screening of the unfinished film has left many shocked by the content of the period piece. World of Reel revealed that the adaptation included -among other shocking scenes – a nun fondling a corpse, BDSM, and sexualised slugs and egg yolks. Attendees have reported that the film includes 'hyper-sexualised imagery' with a 'grotesque' scene that sees a public hanging end with the condemned man ejaculating during the execution. This is followed up with some blasphemous necrophia from a nun who 'fondles the corpse's visible erection'. There are 'several masturbation scenes' that are 'purposefully discomforting' and a 'BDSM-tinged encounter' involving a woman being strapped into some horse reins. There are also some rather sexy textures, including 'egg yolks running through fingers', sliding slugs, and a bit of dirty dough kneading. Test screenings can often lead to major edits to the film, and with Fennell's film not set to be released until February 2026, who knows if any of this will make it to the final cut! The film has faced criticism for casting Elordi, yet another white actor to play Heathcliff, a famously non-white role that was written by Brontë. On one page of the original novel, Heathcliff is described as a 'dark-skinned gipsy in aspect', while another refers to his 'dusky fingers'. Characters debate his appearance to be of a 'Lascar' – a dated description meaning a sailor from India or Southeast Asia – or 'an American or Spanish castaway'. Casting director Kharmel Cochrane worked on the film and is one of the biggest names in her field in the UK, having previously worked on the likes of Nosferatu, Saltburn, Bob Marley: One Love. While at the Sands International Film Festival of St Andrews, she told Metro that she is very much aware of the abuse directed at her after her casting choices for the film. 'I have really had to hold back on Instagram after a glass of wine, because I think someone was like, 'The casting director should be shot',' she said. More Trending 'There's definitely going to be some English Lit fans that are not going to be happy.' She then added: 'Wait until you see the set design, because it's even more shocking. And there may or may not be a dog collar in it.' 'You can read anything into a book and make it your interpretation. And it's really easy to sit online and say things, but just wait until you've watched it, and then you can say – maybe not that I deserve to be shot – but you can say what you want!' Cochrane suggests. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Michael Bay leaves Will Smith Netflix film over 'creative differences' MORE: I know Freakier Friday is an unnecessary sequel – but it makes good choices MORE: Scarlett Johansson's 'terrible' English accent in new film leaves fans unimpressed
Graziadaily
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Graziadaily
Why We Should Be Suspicious Of The Wuthering Heights Criticism
There aren't many directors who manage to stir up rage, controversy and divide opinion quite like Emerald Fennell. Before she could even say the word 'Heights', the Promising Young Woman director's adaptation of Emily Bronte's 1847 novel has had the internet up in arms. First, she was criticised for casting Margot Robbie, 35, as Catherine Earnshaw, who (spoiler alert) dies by the time she is 18. Then she was called out for casting Jacob Elordi, a white actor, in the racially ambiguous role of Heathcliff. And then 'first look' pictures of Wuthering Heights found their way onto social media and the whole production was written off for its numerous historically inaccuracies. Now, despite the film not coming out until 13 February 2026, scathing reviews of the test screenings have put Fennell's adaptation back in the headlines. One viewer at the first test screening in Dallas labelled the film 'aggressively provocative' and said it had parallels with the 'stylised depravity' of her last project, Saltburn. Paul Rhys, Jacob Elordi, Emerald Fennell, Barry Keoghan, Carey Mulligan and Archie Madekwe at the LA premiere of Saltburn. (Photo by) Another viewer called it 'sexually explicit' and 'tonally abrasive'. One attendee described scenes of 'purposefully discomforting masturbation', a sexual bondage encounter involving horse reins and shots of 'suggestive textures', such as egg yolks, bread dough and slug trails. Apparently, the film even opens with a man being hanged who proceeds to 'ejaculate mid-execution'. For anyone who has seen Fennell's films – where vengeful rape victims are murdered and conniving university students drink semen from the bath drains and have sex with empty graves – none of this will be remotely surprising. What is surprising, though, is that we are hearing about all of this six months before the film hits cinemas. Whether you work in the entertainment industry or not, it is fairly unprecedented for reviews of screen testings not to be under strict embargoes, especially for a film with such a demonstrable marketing budget and high profile cast and crew. There is a reason why reviews tend to drop the week before or day of a film being released. They are, to all intents and purposes, a way of helping people decide whether to tune in. Nowadays they are also used to create 'buzz' and help the film cut through in online discourse. Given Fennell's penchant for raucous debate – she certainly seems to be an advocate of 'all publicity is good publicity' – it's hard to imagine that these scabrous reviews are not part of the film's wider marketing strategy. When have we ever heard what a single viewer in Dallas thinks of a test screening before? Or read that a film blogger thinks her interpretation adds 'something bold and unexpected' to Bronte's story? It is far from usual protocol. And Fennell knows what she's doing. I'll be the first to admit I only watched Saltburn to see what all the fuss was about (and to validate my preconceived opinion that I would hate it). Perhaps this talk of ejaculation-ridden executions and 'suggestive' egg yolks is pathing the way for the same thing to happen again. In a post- Don't Worry Darling world – where the alleged BTS scandals between director Olivia Wilde and her co-stars (most notably her rumoured affair with Harry Styles) turned the film into international talking point – all business savvy studios know a good fell won't always sell itself anymore. We saw it happen last summer during the press run of It Ends With Us . The feud between co-stars Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively far outshone the film itself and snowballed into a toxic legal battle that is still ongoing. Far more people now know about It Ends With Us than they ever would have before – even if, in this instance, it was not intentional. In a world where audiences are constantly overwhelmed by choice and reluctant to spend in cinemas without knowing what they're paying for, the louder the chatter about a film is online, the more likely they are to watch it. If that's what Fennell is playing into, then hats (or bonnets) off to her. Wuthering Heights might still be six months away, but part of me wants to find out what all the fuss is about already. Nikki Peach is a writer at Grazia UK, working across entertainment, TV and news. She has also written for the i, i-D and the New Statesman Media Group and covers all things pop culture for Grazia (treating high and lowbrow with equal respect).
Sky News AU
08-07-2025
- Business
- Sky News AU
Bendigo Bank to shut ten branches in communities across Victoria, Queensland and Tasmania starting from August
Bendigo Bank has confirmed ten of its branches will shut within the next few months across Victoria, Queensland and Tasmania. The bank, which operates Australia's second biggest regional branch network, said the closures will roll out from August 1 until the end of October. The closures mean some residents in impacted regional areas will be left without a local in-person branch and may need to resort to other methods for their banking, such as going online. Six Victorian Bendigo Bank branches will close from the start of next month, including locations in South Melbourne, Korumburra and on Malop Street in Geelong. The Bannockburn and Yarram branches will shut from September 25 and 26 respectively, while Ballarat Central will close on October 31. In Queensland, both the Malanda and Tully North sites will close on September 26. Meanwhile in Tasmania, the Kings Meadows location will shut its doors on August 1 followed by the Queenstown branch on September 26. Bendigo Bank said the decision to close or consolidate the branches was reached following a review of "customer preferences, a reduction in business activity and an increase in costs". The bank's chief executive officer and managing director Richard Fennell said the choice was not easy, stressing the retailer is committed to delivering services for its regional customers. "We are proud of our regional heritage and in order to continue delivering for our customers and communities we must ensure our branches are adequately supported and resourced," Mr Fennell said in a statement. "To preserve what makes our Bank unique, we must balance our physical network presence with the need to continue investing in the changing preferences of our 2.7 million customers." Mr Fennell noted Bendigo Bank has more branches per customer than any other Australian bank, and operates the third largest branch network on a national level. The Finance Sector Union (FSU) has blasted the move, saying the closures will leave some Aussies in regional communities without in-person financial services. FSU National Secretary Julia Angrisano claimed about 32 full time-equivalent roles will also impacted by the branch closures. "To close 10 branches, five in regional communities with no other bank branch, is a slap in the face from a bank which most Australians know as the largest regionally based bank, and a supporter of regional communities," she said in a statement. "Three Victorian communities - Bannockburn, Korumburra Yarram, along with Malanda in Queensland, and Queenstown in Tasmania will lose the last of their local bank branches." The FSU said it has written to the Bendigo Bank boss, as well as local parliamentary members in a bid to save the branches. "The largest impact from this decision will be felt in the bank's home state of Victoria with six branches closing including larger regional branches in Geelong and Ballarat, and a suburban branch in South Melbourne," Ms Angrisano said. "This is an incredibly disturbing development and does not bode well for the future of Bendigo Bank's presence in regional Australia." Bendigo Bank emphasised it is actively exploring opportunities to support and relocate affected team members. The FCU has renewed calls for banking to be regulated in Australia as an essential service to protect regional communities, noting a Sentate inquiry into the issue was held just over a year ago.
7NEWS
23-06-2025
- 7NEWS
‘At least I didn't kill anyone': Socialite Vanessa Jacobs Fennell's comment after car crash and alleged assault revealed in court
An alleged drunk-driving Sydney socialite who is accused of assaulting a police officer after crashing her luxury Range Rover into a Tesla reportedly said 'at least I didn't kill anyone,' court documents have revealed. The case of Vanessa Jacobs Fennell returned to court on Monday, months after her arrest in Bellevue Hill in Sydney's east on March 21. The 54-year-old was charged with refusing to submit to breath analysis, assaulting police in the execution of duty, and failing to provide details to the owners of damaged property. Fennell allegedly crashed her Range Rover SUV into several parked cars on Riddell St before a good Samaritan reminded her that the vehicle had two flat tyres and was badly damaged. When police arrived, the mother-of-two was allegedly 'uncooperative' and denied being behind the wheel of the car. Police allege her roadside breath test returned a positive result and she became 'agitated' when they tried to arrest her. She allegedly slapped a police officer and laughed about it, court documents revealed. 'She showed no remorse for her actions,' police said. Court documents also stated she then said: 'Well, at least I didn't kill anyone.' Fennell pleaded guilty in May to all four charges but is seeking to have the matters dealt with under mental health provisions. She is due to appear at Waverley Local Court again on August 12. Fennell, who was once shortlisted to be on the Real Housewives of Sydney, was married to private banker Tom Fennell but the couple split about five years ago.
Perth Now
23-06-2025
- Perth Now
Socialite's 7 words after slapping cop
A Sydney socialite told police words to the effect of 'well at least I didn't kill anyone' after crashing her Range Rover, refusing a breath test and then assaulting a police officer. Vanessa Jacobs Fennell, 54, refused a breath test and then crashed her luxe Range Rover into a parked Tesla before assaulting a police officer in Bellevue Hill in Sydney's east on March 21. She was charged with refusing to submit to breath analysis, assault police officer in the execution of duty, not give particulars to owner of damaged property, and negligent driving. Sydney socialite Vanessa Jacobs Fennell made a shocking claim to police after she was arrested in Bellevue Hill. NewsWire / Nikki Short Credit: News Corp Australia Fennell – who was previously short-listed to appear on the second season of controversial reality show Real Housewives of Sydney in 2023 – pleaded guilty last month to all four charges, but is seeking to have the matters dealt with under mental health provisions of the law. She did not appear in Waverley Local Court on Monday where her matter was briefly mentioned. Her lawyer Helen Christinson asked the court for a further date for a report to be prepared. Court documents seen by NewsWire revealed bystanders called police shortly after Fennell was stopped by a good Samaritan on a road in Bellevue Hill who informed her that her car was 'severely damaged' and had two flat tyres. When police arrived, Fennell was 'uncooperative', and initially denied being the driver of the damaged Range Rover. While being arrested, the socialite became 'highly agitated', before slapping the police officer and resisting arrest, the documents state. Vanessa Jacobs' lawyer Helen Christinson sought an adjournment at Waverley Court on Monday. Photo: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard Credit: News Corp Australia After being informed she had assaulted a police officer, she laughed and showed 'no remorse for her actions', police said in the documents. While police were speaking with her the socialite then said words to the effect of: 'well at least I didn't kill anyone', court documents said. The assault was captured on police body cam footage. In a police interview, Fennell admitted to driving while under the influence of alcohol. The stay at home mum also failed to give her required particulars 'within the required time' to the driver of the other car. The mother of two was previously married to private equity investor Tom Fennell, with reports the couple called it quits about five years ago. She's also regularly been snapped at charity luncheons and events across the Harbour City. She will return to Waverley Local Court again on August 12. Her bail is to continue. mental health support
