With Ari Aster’s ambitious Beau is Afraid inching toward its release, it seems that its lead star Joaquin Phoenix has once again given his all for the role of Beau. Following Aster’s previous Indie hits, including Midsommar and Hereditary, which garnered immense critical acclaim fans are excited to witness the result of his collaboration with one of this generation’s greatest actors.
Although Phoenix is known for completely dissolving into the role he is assigned and is always ready to take that extra mile to attain perfection. Beau is Afraid might have been a little too intense even for him, as the director revealed that the Joker star fainted during one of the scenes.
Joaquin Phoenix fainted during one of Beau is Afraid’s intense scene
While speaking about his experience in crafting one of his most ambitious projects, Ari Aster recalled that during the filming of an intense sequence in the movie, Joaquin Phoenix collapsed on the ground. The director explained that Phoenix wasn’t in the frame during the incident and was helping out others and during Patti LuPone’s brilliant sequence, Phoenix suddenly fainted. He said,
“I was really pissed ’cause it was a really good take. It felt confusing so I went around the corner and he was collapsed… The point is that he fainted in somebody else’s take, he wasn’t on camera and he was helping them he was in it for them to the point where he collapsed. It’s very poetic that he collapsed in somebody else’s shot.”
Even though it did ruin the incredible scene and they had to reshoot it. However, the director has no complaints regarding his lead star and hasn’t missed the opportunity to commend Phoenix’s unreal determination to his craft.
Joaquin Phoenix and Ari Aster have nothing but respect for each other
Both Ari Aster and Joaquin Phoenix haven’t held back while expressing their respect for each other and explained that the two brought out the best in themselves. Where Aster explained that it was refreshing to work with an actor like Phoenix because of his physical commitment to the script. The Master star commended the director by stating that he could work with the Indie genius for months. Phoenix said,
“Sometimes it’s as simple as I could be around you for four months because I like the way you talk about these characters,” Phoenix said. “And I can see that you have the willingness to push yourself, and to be pushed and to push back, and that’s exciting to me.”
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Even though Ari Aster has expressed that he is most certainly eying toward a Western as his next project. Following his bond with Phoenix, it’s reasonable to assume that the upcoming Beau is Afraid might be just the beginning of their long working relationship.
Beau is Afraid is set to hit theatres on 14 April 2023.
Source: Deadline
