Premiering at theToronto International Film Festivalon September 5,The Cutfollows an obsessive fighter who will do whatever it takes to get back in the ring. After being forced into retirement, Orlando Bloom’s character, known only as “The Boxer,” opens a successful gym with his wife. When an opportunity arises to make a comeback in the sport, he is determined to take it. However, in order to qualify for a spot, The Boxer must drop a dangerous amount of weight in only six days.
In addition to Bloom, the sports drama starsCaitríona Balfe(Outlander), John Turturro, Clare Dunne, Gary Beadle, Ed Kear, Oliver Trevena, and Andonis Anthony. Sean Ellis serves as the director, while Justin Bull wrote the screenplay with Mark Lane. The cast and crew admit they have never worked ona film likeThe Cut, and commend Bloom for the physically taxing process he underwent for the role. Despite the grueling nature of the story, the actors all express excitement over coming together for the project.
The Cut Review: Orlando Bloom Takes A Hit In A Physically & Psychologically Taxing Sports Drama [TIFF]
I liked what The Cut was trying to say and, for much of it, the way it said it.
Screen Rantinterviewed Ellis, Turturro, Balfe, and Trevena at the Toronto International Film Festival about working onThe Cut,as well as their upcoming projects.
Sean Ellis Brought His Own Boxing Experience To The Cut
“I know quite a lot about boxing, actually, because I was a boxer, or trained in boxing, and Thai boxing and Taekwondo.”
Screen Rant: How much did you know about boxing before this film, and what did you learn during the process?
Sean Ellis: I know quite a lot about boxing, actually, because I was a boxer, or trained in boxing, and Thai boxing andTaekwondo. I was quite obsessed with martial arts as a youngster. I definitely know what looks good and what doesn’t, and then combining that with cameras and framing, I was able to really try and get the best out of Orlando’s skills. We had stunt coordinators, and we had boxing trainers, and we worked with them closely on getting Orlando and Caitríona into that world so that they look convincing.
You have an incredibly talented cast on board, so what did actors like Orlando and Caitríona bring to the project?
Sean Ellis: Actors, they’re just magicians, and they do this magic trick in front of your camera and I don’t know how they do it. I don’t want to know the secret, I don’t want to know the trick, but it is magic when you see it, and that’s incredible.
John Turturro Has Always Been A Fan Of Boxing Films
“I like sports, and I’m always interested in what it takes for those people to excel and how people’s careers end at a very young age.”
Screen Rant: How has this film helped you stretch new creative muscles that you haven’t used for past projects?
John Turturro: I’ve done a lot of different things, so it’s kind of hard to find things that I haven’t done. But this was a very original script, and I’m a big, almost boxing historian for films, and real boxing, because I used to collect 8 mm film when I was a kid. But I like sports, and I’m always interested in what it takes for those people to excel and how people’s careers end at a very young age.
People can be 30 years old and they’re, like, washed up. Now we have different kinds of training methods, people can last longer in certain sports. I thought it was just an interesting script that explored something that I hadn’t really seen, so I took my cues from what was written.
Is there anything you can tease about your character inSeveranceseason 2?
John Turturro: My lips are sealed. I’m severed. But it’s going to come in January, so finally the long wait will be over.
Caitríona Balfe Hopes Jamie And Claire Fans Will Be Satisfied With Outlander Season 8
“I hope so. I don’t know. I mean, you can never tell, right?”
Screen Rant: As an actor, what did you find most fulfilling about being a part of this film?
Caitríona Balfe: It was just such a great script. It was such an uptake on a world that I’d never seen before, and watching what an amazing job Orlando did and the transformation that he went through, I think being part of something like that is always really exciting. It’s very different from anything that I’d done before.
Do you think that Jamie and Claire fans will be satisfied with the final season ofOutlander?
Caitríona Balfe: That’s a big question. I hope so. I don’t know. I mean, you can never tell, right? So I don’t know.
Oliver Trevena Jumped At The Chance To Work With Sean Ellis
What drew you toThe Cut?
Oliver Trevena: I love Sean, the director, and the script. I think I read the script before Orlando was on board. The story is amazing and also the chance to work with Orlando was amazing, John Turturro, the cast. It’s a real ride. Witnessing what Orlando had to go through to get this character on the screen was insane.
How do you feel the film has helped you stretch new creative muscles that you haven’t used in past projects?
Oliver Trevena: It helped me realize to be careful what you say “yes” to as far as a character when you are having to fluctuate that much with your weight. That’s probably what it taught me. I haven’t done something like that yet, so when the time comes, I’ll be calling Orlando for some tips.
About Sean Ellis' The Cut
“Written by Justin Bull and Mark Lane, The Cut is about wounds that will not heal.”
It looks like a sports movie, but this intensely visceral drama from director Sean Ellis (Metro Manila; Cashback, TIFF ’06) digs deep into the ways we punish the body to relieve a soul in torment. Featuring powerful performances from Orlando Bloom, John Turturro, and Caitríona Balfe (TIFF ’21 People’s Choice Award winner for Belfast), The Cut follows a retired fighter obsessed with getting back in the ring, even if it costs him his life.
Content advisory:The Cutcontains themes of disordered eating.
Check out some of our other TIFF 2024 interviews here:
The Cutpremiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 5.
