Harris Dickinson is one of the most in-demand actors, but he had to direct a film first
There's a little one for 2001's 'Donnie Darko,' but there's a much larger one on his arm for 'Kes,' Ken Loach's seminal British social realism drama from 1969.
'I'm sure there's a few more on my legs,' Dickinson says, smiling. 'I can't remember.'
But the spirit of Loach runs strong in Dickinson's directorial debut, 'Urchin.' The film, which premiered the Un Certain Regard section of the Cannes Film Festival, stars Frank Dillane as a homeless London drug addict.
A sensitive and preceptive character study, 'Urchin' has been widely hailed as a standout at Cannes. Just as the 28-year-old Dickson, who starred in last year's 'Babygirl,' is emerging as a major movie star, he's revealed himself to be a filmmaker to watch, too.
'Before we screened, I was debilitated by nerves,' Dickinson said the day after the premiere. 'I felt so vulnerable — which I do normally with acting, but not as much. I suddenly realized what an exposing thing this is. Like you said, it's showing a different side of myself and putting that out there to be obliterated.'
But Dickinson, who first emerged in Eliza Hitman's 2017 film 'Beach Rats,' only expanded audience's notions of him with 'Urchin.' As he explained in an interview, making it was important enough to him, even if it meant sacrificing parts at the very moment Hollywood won't stop calling. Next, Dickinson will star as John Lennon in Sam Mendes' four-film Beatles project.
DICKINSON: I wanted to direct from a very young age. I wanted to make films. I was making these skateboard videos and I was doing a lot of short films on YouTube. I had a web series where I would release episodes weekly. It was like a sketch show. That was first love, just making things.
Acting kind of kicked off a little bit once 'Beach Rats' came out at Sundance. It was weird. I had to earn my stripes, of course, as an actor. But I couldn't go to film school because I was acting. So I just carried on my own interest in it and thought: Hopefully someday I can do it. Then the short film happened and the BBC took a chance on me, commissioning 'Urchin.'
DICKINSON: Hard to figure out, yeah. And particularly when we're in a world where people don't always love someone trying to doing multiple things. And rightly so. There are times when you shouldn't be trying to be a basketball player, or whatever. A lot of people do go, 'Oh, I fancy doing that now,' particularly when they get to a more successful position. But this has always been a love of mine and I've just been waiting for the moment to do it. It's strange as well because I'm also at a point in my acting where I had to take a lot of time out to make this film. But I wouldn't have wanted it any other way.
DICKINSON: Yeah, for sure. But it's easy to say no to things. 'Urchin' was all I could think about it. It was pouring out of me. It was all that was on my mind. It's easy to say no when you've got something to take you away from that, you know? Nothing that came in would make me question my own film, which is a sign that I had to make it at this time. I don't know, maybe that sounds self-important.
DICKINSON: The discovery of Mike happened over a long time. I really started with the intention to create a very focused character study of someone who was ultimately battling against themselves. I wanted to show a full person in all of their ugliness and all of their humanity and their charm. And that was a hard process to get right. It also happened with Frank, who came on and tapped into those things so beautifully. I kept coming back to the no judgment thing, not allowing us to feel sorry for him too much. Just observe him and go through situations and see how he acts.
DICKINSON: He can't transcend his own behavior, which is so common for a lot of people, especially when they've been through a certain degree of trauma. How do you get out of that? How do you change your behavior? When your support network's gone, even the institution is not enough to get someone out of these cycles. As people, what interests me is that we're an incredibly advanced civilization but at the end of the day, we're quite rudimentary in our design. We're quite basic in the way we go back to things.
DICKINSON: I'm always a bit reluctant to talk about this because it's something I've been doing in private and not trying to be like a heroic thing of a cause. I'm just a minor, minor part of a much bigger cause that is ultimately made up hundred of thousands of individuals that are collectively working toward change. But it was always important to have the bones of this film lay in that space. It had to have the uncurrent to it. It had to have that factual reality to it.
And, yeah, Loach, Meadows. Ken Loach, he's one of the greats, for good reason. He's made incredibly important films. And I don't know if this film has the through line of a social realism drama or a social political film. I think it has the beginnings of it because we enter the world and then stay there very observationally. But then the language changes.
DICKINSON: I hope so. I hope people let me do it again. That's the goal. But it takes a lot of you. I think my partner is probably happy for me to not be a neurotic person for a bit.
DICKINSON: I'll probably be neurotic, as well. I'll probably be just as neurotic.
___
Jake Coyle has covered the Cannes Film Festival since 2012. He's seeing approximately 40 films at this year's festival and reporting on what stands out.
___
For more coverage of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, visit: https://apnews.com/hub/cannes-film-festival
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Have Fine Hair? Try These 25 Hairstyle Ideas for the Illusion of Volume
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." With , the best hairstyles are all about creating the illusion of volume. Or at the very least, avoiding that flat and lifeless look (if you have fine hair, you know it well). Right now, celebrity hairstylist and Nexxus ambassador Clariss Rubenstein is all about the blunt bob for fine hair. "It's timeless, chic, and perfect for fine hair," she says. "The sharp, even perimeter creates the illusion of thickness. I especially love a short French bob that tucks just under the ear. It's minimal, elegant, and adds instant density." Ahead, see examples of the best hairstyles for fine hair to take to your stylist, plus everyday looks you can copy no matter your and Bobs "I love a pixie-bob hybrid—as in, a grown-out pixie with soft layering and movement," says Rubenstein. "Emma Stone's version is a perfect example—versatile, textured, and full of personality."Pixies and Bobs It-girl Iris Law also has a version of this look that's closer to a true pixie. She's worn it sideswept and neat, seen here, and loose and wavy, as she did on the Cannes red and Bobs Want to go super short, but aren't sure which cut to try? "I'm really into the short French bob with a chunky bottom line—it's so flattering and easy to wear," says Layers Rubenstein says layers can be beautiful on long hair, but adds that too many can make the ends look stringy. "A soft 'dusting' of layers can add movement without sacrificing fullness," says the stylist. "Keep the bottom strong and avoid thinning out the perimeter."Strategic Layers As Jodie Comer demonstrates here, with the right blowout, even fine hair can look extra Layers Rashida Jones's layers are more subtle but very much there, and her piecey bangs add Buns For an easy hairstyle that looks great with fine hair, you can't go wrong with a classic bun, seen here on Laura Harrier. Use a hair wand like Dae Cactus Fruit 3-in-1 Styling Cream + Taming Wand to keep any flyaways at bay without feeling sticky. Ballerina Buns Braiding the hair before placing it into the bun is a great way to ensure the hair stays in place. We love the extra Center Stage energy Zoe Saldaña's look has Buns A low bun like Lily-Rose Depp's is a little more unexpected. Tie on a black ribbon (or any color, really) for an elegant Topknot If a slicked-back bun isn't the vibe, go for a low-key topknot like Hailey Bieber's, and don't worry if it has a few bumps—that's part of the Topknot The same goes for Hoyeon Jung's look here. The less "done" the topknot, the better—and always keep a piece or two out around the Topknot Anyone else looking at this photo of Kristen Stewart and suddenly feel the urge to get bangs and dye their ends pink?Sleek Center Part One perk of fine hair? It does the sleek thing, seen here on Daisy Edgar-Jones, pretty well. Just make sure you use a frizz-fighting styling product so it stays that way—otherwise, you know the drill. Try Amika Frizz-Me-Not Hydrating Anti-Frizz Treatment before you heat-style your Center Part For a slick-straight finish like Meghann Fahy's, use a straightener with heat-protection built in like the Bio Ionic 10X Pro Styling 1" iron, and go easy on the product so hair doesn't look weighed Center Part Not quite straight and not quite wavy, fine hair looks gorgeous with a subtle bend in the hair, like Kristen Bell's Half-Up A half-up bun is a fantastic way to add the illusion of volume. Fluff up the bun a little, and be sure to leave a good amount of hair down like Jamie Chung did Half-Up As Gracie Abrams demonstrates, this look is also adorable with shorter hair. With a bob, Rubenstein advises avoiding too many layers. "A clean, blunt line gives the illusion of thicker hair. It's all about maintaining weight at the bottom," she Ponytail A pony is a fail-safe style for all hair types, including fine hair. Copy Cameron Diaz's look by doing a middle part and keeping out chunky pieces to frame the Ponytail For an evening-ready version, get inspired by Margot Robbie and go for flipped-out ends and wrap your pony at the base. Hairspray is key here; we like Tresemme A-List Collection Lacquer Shine Spray to add extra Ponytail A side pony? A side pony! Renee Zellweger's look gets its volume thanks to a good amount of teasing at the crown and soft, easy Loose Waves Speaking of waves: The boho look is back, and that's great news for those of us with fine hair. Take a cue from Sienna Miller at the Chloé spring 2025 show and go for undone waves. The best boho waves are from the day before; run a bit of hair oil, like Rōz Santa Lucia Heat Protectant Styling Hair Oil, through the ends for shine. Long, Loose Waves The look works on medium-length hair, too, as seen here on Nicole Bob French bob feel a little too risky? Try a slightly longer cut like Keira Knightley's. It's still a full-on bob, but it doesn't need quite as much maintenance. "It's all about maintaining weight at the bottom," says Rubenstein. "Using a wash and care system like the Nexxus Therappe Shampoo + Humectress Conditioner is perfect for inserting moisture back into strands for that plumping effect."Chin-Length Bob Charlize Theron's wavy look is further evidence that a chin-length cut—with a soft wave and center part—is ideal for fine Bob A slicked-down look with flippy ends, like Maya Rudolph's, is chic and requires no added volume—a major plus for fine hair. You Might Also Like 4 Investment-Worthy Skincare Finds From Sephora The 17 Best Retinol Creams Worth Adding to Your Skin Care Routine Solve the daily Crossword
CNN
3 hours ago
- CNN
Faith, flags and deep-dish pizza: Pope Leo shows Gen Z appeal as a million young people flock to Rome
Rome just wrapped the equivalent of a Catholic Woodstock. Its headline act: The new American Pope. Hundreds of thousands of young people descended on the Eternal City throughout the week for a festival of faith, music and religious services that saw groups of teens and young adults from across the globe singing songs, waving flags on Rome's ancient streets and camping out in huge warehouses on the city's outskirts. After descending by helicopter on Saturday evening, Pope Leo XIV greeted the sea of excited pilgrims with waves and blessings – and at one point, catching a tennis ball thrown from the crowd, showing off a skill he may have learned from his own love of the sport. After a prayer vigil, which took place at a sprawling site in Rome's Tor Vergata district, the crowd slept under the stars before waking up early Sunday as Leo returned to celebrate Mass. For Leo, who has been in post for less than 100 days, the mega-meeting of youth marks the first test for his pontificate on whether he can connect with the church's younger generations. The Vatican said authorities estimated more than a million young people turned out for the Sunday Mass alone, making it the largest event of his papacy. Leo's predecessor, Pope Francis, was a hit with many young people, with a style that put aside pre-prepared speeches to engage in a back and forth with big crowds and who took tough questions from them about loss of faith, abortion and sexual abuse. Leo has a different style to Francis. The Chicago-born pope frequently keeps to his set texts and leans on the Vatican for help in a way that his more disruptive predecessor frequently avoided. Nevertheless, the pope was able to demonstrate an ability to connect with young people through his quiet charisma and authenticity, communicating less through dramatic actions and salty speeches, but with a gentle leadership. The youth event in Rome – part of the Catholic Church's jubilee celebrations – saw Leo both embrace the young people's enthusiasm but ensure moments of quiet contemplation. On Saturday evening, the crowd fell silent as Leo, kneeling at the main altar, led them in a period of silent prayer. It is still early days for Leo's papacy. While he has shown determination to continue with the reforms begun by Francis, he is still growing into the role. Leo is known for his methodical style and those close to him say he is likely to spend several months listening and analyzing before making major personnel appointments or other key decisions. As an Augustinian friar, his spirituality is contemplative and at the relatively youthful papal age of 69-years-old – on display on Saturday when he carried a large wooden cross up the stairs to the main altar – he doesn't need to rush. A key question is how he manages the church's central administration in the Vatican, the Roman Curia, which Francis often bypassed and sometimes strongly criticized. Leo has shown he wants to work with the institution but needs to avoid being controlled by it. Some Vatican observers say he still needs to find his voice and make better use of his linguistic advantages. 'I can understand that he wants to make sure he speaks Italian – and he speaks it well – as the pope is the Bishop of Rome,' Robert Mickens, a long time Vatican commentator and columnist for the Union of Catholic Asia News (UCAN) told CNN. 'But he has to speak in English if he wants to reach his target audience.' During the youth celebration Leo made better use of his languages, switching between Spanish, English and Italian – and on Tuesday evening, he electrified crowds who went wild when Leo made a surprise appearance after the welcome Mass. 'You are the light of the world!' he told them in English to loud cheers. Long-term trends show a sharp decline in youth engagement and identification in mainstream religions in Western nations. However, the Catholic Church could be bucking that trend, with some recent studies showing an increased interest among Gen Z. During the youth jamboree, Leo greeted a sea of iPhones in St Peter's Basilica as he met social media influencers described as 'digital missionaries' trying to connect with new audiences. One of them, José De Urquidi, a former craft beer brewer, told CNN that 'like missionaries' of the past who learned new languages and customs, 'Catholic influencers today translate eternal truths into the visual, immediate language of digital natives, meeting Gen Z within their cultural context.' 'It's such a cool experience to connect with people your age from different places all over the world that are living through the same thing and want to experience the same things,' 17-year-old Milena Solano, who had travelled from the United States, told CNN. 'Some people think it's weird to be religious, and I think meeting people that don't think that is so refreshing, and nice to see that you're not the only one,' Solano said. While Francis used to skim the newspapers, Leo is the first pope to wear an Apple watch and write his own emails. He is more conscious than his predecessors of online news and the world of social media – including its pitfalls. 'As you know, today there are algorithms that tell us what we should watch, what we should think, and who our friends should be. And so our relationships become confusing, sometimes anxious,' he told young people on Saturday. At a time of uncertainty – political and otherwise – many young people are also hoping Leo will be a voice for the marginalized. Victoria Aguirre, 17, from the pope's hometown of Chicago, said: 'I would really love for him to pray for my family and all the immigrants and refugees in our country, just for peace and refuge and safety for them.' And as Damian Hernandez, an 18-year-old from New Mexico waited for the pope to arrive, he said it was important for Leo to stress welcoming immigrants, 'particularly with what's happening in the United States with the deportations.' Among the American pilgrims in Rome, there was a special affinity for a pope who speaks their language and culture. Some in the crowd chanted 'Viva il papa' after Leo addressed the crowd in English before Mass on Sunday morning – and the pontiff looked pleased after he was handed a slice of Chicago deep dish pizza from Aurelio's in St. Peter's Square. Before his election, the pope was a frequent visitor to one of their restaurants in Homewood, Illinois. As pope, Leo can't go out for a quiet slice anymore. He went from the relative obscurity of a Rome-based cardinal to one of the most famous people in the world in a matter of hours. While most political leaders like to make a big impact in their first 100 days, Leo seems happy to listen, analyze and wait. This strategy could, in the long run, give him more authority inside the church to press ahead with reforms and as a moral voice on the world stage. 'We are with the young people of Gaza, we are with the young people of Ukraine,' Leo said at the end of Sunday's Mass. As the young people prepared to head home, he told them: 'My young brothers and sisters, you are the sign that a different world is possible.' Alessandro Gentile, Witek Rzepczak and Clara Schönthaler contributed reporting.
Forbes
3 hours ago
- Forbes
Artist JR Uses Trains As His Canvas —See Inside His Latest Masterpiece
The lounge area on L'Observatoire, the new sleeper carriage on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express Photography: Ludovic Balay; Courtesy of Belmond I could see clear blue skies in the background of my video call with JR, the French street artist turned global superstar. He was sporting a hat, dark sunglasses and a ready smile; accessories that are meant to protect from the Provençal sunshine but are also the signature of the elusive yet influential contemporary artist. Known as an 'artivist', JR is celebrated for his impactful work that blends creativity with critical thinking. He uses streets and buildings as his canvas, and his multimedia pieces are often laced with poetic and progressive messages. From the Pyramids of Giza to the Louvre in Paris, JR's public installations span large-scale photographs and trompe l'œil optical illusions that catch your attention and hold a deeper message. French artist JR in front of his installation 'La Nascita' ('The birth'), in Piazza Duca d'Aosta, in front of the Central Station in Milan, Italy. The installation is the first 'sculptural anamorphosis' created by JR, conceived as a large trompe-l'œil to tell the origin of the surrounding railway station. (Photo by) Getty Images When we talked, he was kicking off his annual summer break, where he intentionally slows down and largely stays put in the French countryside. 'I travel so much and over the summer I stop flying and reboot,' he says. On the odd weekend, he indulges in his favorite mode of transport—trains—and takes short trips elsewhere in Europe. JR, who grew up in the Parisian suburbs, has long been fascinated by trains. 'I used trains early in my career—it's an amazing way to take a piece of art from one place to the other.' One of his most memorable projects is 'Women Are Heroes' (2007), in which he placed eyes on a train carriage. 'I love how your work gets to travel everywhere'. In 2020, JR sat down with Belmond, the luxury travel company whose iconic collection includes the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (VSOE), a mythical train steeped in legend and whose name alone conjures the most glamorous journeys. The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (VSOE) is so steeped in legend, its name alone conjures the most glamorous journeys. Courtesy of Belmond 'Everyone knows the VSOE. Even though you've never been aboard, you definitely have a perception of it,' he says. 'It's the biggest celebrity of all. Have you seen how many people take pictures when it's stopped at a station?' The collaboration presented an opportunity to create more than just a moving art piece, but to design an entire carriage beginning from its lovely bones. 'I would have never imagined that one day I'll get to build my own train carriage. It's a dream I wouldn't have had the courage to have,' he says. When he first stepped inside the VSOE, JR says he was struck by the longevity of the pre-war interiors, most of which was made during the Jazz Age. 'The details expressed the passion of the craftsmen who created these carriages almost a hundred years ago. I thought we should also make something timeless, something that will live beyond me.' The lounge area and library aboard the L'Observatoire Photography: Ludovic Balay; Courtesy of Belmond Four years in the making, the result of the collaboration is L'Observatoire—a truly bespoke and artistic sleeper carriage that's a new addition to the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. JR handpicked every element, from the general layout down to the smallest graphic detail. From the outset, the goal was to build the grandest residence on rails, combining the richness of a 'cabinet of curiosities' and the wonder of being inside an astronomical observatory. Intricate marquetry adorns the entire sleeper carriage Photography: Ludovic Balay; Courtesy of Belmond To achieve this, a tribe of artisans were brought together—the most talented hands in Europe with expertise in marble, stained glass, wood marquetry and more. 'The level of craftsmanship is mind blowing,' he says. He spotlights the atelier that did the wood marquetry for L'Observatoire. JRs studio did the drawings then handed it over to them to realize. 'They actually brought every drawing we did to life, you know? That is not something that you do overnight. You have to find the right wood and carefully think about how the light is gonna go through the wood.' Seek and you shall find A true iconoclast, JR has built his name on creating monumental artwork, so scaling down to a smaller space posed a different challenge. Whether it's a barren desert in California or the slums of Nairobi, he is a master of crafting an immersive experience—something also true of the intimate carriage, L'Observatoire. From the artpieces to the oculus, L'Observatoire is truly one-of-a-kind residence on rails Photography: Ludovic Balay; Courtesy of Belmond An element that he wouldn't compromise on was the addition of an oculus, so travellers can see the sky above as they cross borders. 'It was something that I had dreamed of from the beginning as it has never been done on a train. Thank God for the incredible engineers of the VSOE, who created this technical feat'. Like many of his works, there's a solid message behind the art. In this suite, the messages are a bit more whimsical in nature and invite viewers to a treasure hunt. JR is partial to an installation set in the tea room where there's a train maquette that has a running video of his team. Throughout hours of footage, you may suddenly catch a clue that leads you to his first Leica camera or other concealed items within the suite. More than just a bespoke art piece, this special train carriage is a way to observe the outside but also enter the universe of JR. 'Maybe someone will find those hidden messages, maybe someone won't. You'll just have to ride the train to find out.' MORE FROM FORBES Forbes Is Quiet Luxury Over? Top Designer André Fu Believes It's Here To Stay By Kissa Castaneda Forbes 6 Intriguing Installations At The Venice Biennale Of Architecture 2025 By Kissa Castaneda Forbes Wellness Design Is Booming—Rakxa In Bangkok Shows How To Bring It Home By Kissa Castaneda Forbes A Creative's Guide To Notting Hill: Where To Go Beyond Portobello Road By Kissa Castaneda Forbes Art Deco Is Trending Again—See Inside These Reimagined Gems In London By Kissa Castaneda
