Being Real

University’s Bullingdon Club.
Irons is the son of Academy Award-winning English actor Jeremy Irons, and Irish actress Sinead Cusack. The cast got along well, but unlike his easy-going character, Irons confessed to being “terrified” at first. “I thought, what if we’re all competitive and trying to out-do each other?” Irons confessed. “I’ve never been good at all-male banter. I sort of clam up and go spend a lot of time going to the bathroom, standing outside smoking cigarettes, anything to get away from it.” While attending Toronto International Film Festival for The Riot Club premiere, Irons spoke with Reuters about Britain’s class struggles and working on the film.

What drew you to The Riot Club?

When I first read the script, I actually didn’t like it, because I just found it so unpleasant. And I know a couple of people like that and I find them unpleasant.

Any reason for you to play the role of Miles?

I understood his problem, which was being seduced by being invited to the top table and everything that would mean for the trajectory of the rest of his life. It was only upon being inside it that you realised it wasn’t fulfilling. That in fact, it’s quite dark and corrupt.

What is it about class and privilege that makes it such an enduring theme in cinema?

The divide we have in society seems to be getting wider. I think people need to start thinking about that. Even though this is a fictitious take, the fact that our Prime Minister (David Cameron), the Mayor of London (Boris Johnson), and Chancellor of the Exchequer (George Osborne) were all in this club. They weren’t young, they were at a fairly discerning age at 22. The film is a non-judgmental look into a room that exists. Now, if they don’t like what is inside that room, then they shouldn’t be doing it. We’re just opening the door, as a film often does.

Why is the film’s ending important?

I think it’s incredibly important to show reality. We had the riots in London . Opportunities are few and far between. Yet, when they smash a shop window, they get three years in prison, to be made an example of. If what we hear is true about the Bullingdon Club and what they get up to, they’re doing the same thing, at a more discerning age, after being given every advantage known to man, but yet, they can just pay it.

What was it like working with director Lone Scherfig?

She’s amazing— to have a woman like her on set. She has such a keen understanding of the class system, the class struggle. She was also capable of controlling 10 energetic actors .

You did a lot of theater before film. Would you go back to stage?

I want to do a play every year. Theater is terrifying; it’s thrilling. It’s the most exciting thing that you can do. It’s live and there’s no room for error. You have to do it. You can’t turn up to set two hours late. No retakes. Just do it, so it keeps you on your toes.