Duality as a visual motif in ‘Saltburn’

Expect the unexpected from Emerald Fennell’s Nov. 24 release “Saltburn,� a photographically stimulating film starring Barry Keoghan as college student Oliver who becomes intertwined with charming and wealthy classmate Felix, played by “Euphoria� star Jacob Elordi. “She really is a visionary,� cinematographer Linus Sandgren says about the writer-director whose movie redefines desire and privilege. “She is very confident when she talks about her story,� he says. “The overall theme is kind of gothic where you want it to feel like a vampire film, though it’s not literal vampires.� The devilish tale explores duality as a visual motif framing Oliver through reflections as a way to hint at what lies under the surface. One such moment arrives when Oliver stares through a window at Felix — his reflection becomes a prism of himself. “We always wanted to photograph Oliver through reflections and mirrors,� Sandgren says. “One thing we did at the beginning of the film was to isolate him from the rest of the people to make you feel pity for him.� Camera movement considered the splendor and intimacy of scenes while also building suspense for its more eye-opening moments. “A scene that’s disturbing but beautiful to look at is going to be hard for the audience to decide how to feel,� Sandgren notes. For “Saltburn,� being provocative is its visual seasoning.