Emerald Fennell explains the sadism & masochism of the British class system
Emerald Fennell is an actress, writer and director. I actually love her as an actress, but it’s cool that she’s just barreled into the world of screenwriting, producing and directing. She wrote, directed and produced Saltburn, a sort of a knockoff of Brideshead Revisited and The Talented Mr. Ripley, but modernized. Fennell recently chatted with the Sunday Times (via the Telegraph) about the film and how it’s about the British class system, and the dysfunctional relationship which exists between the working class and the upper class.
The country’s relationship with aristocracy and the upper classes has become less reverential: “We have a sadomasochistic relationship with those who not only don’t care about us but don’t even see us… The British class system is so stratified.”
Saltburn is commentary: Saltburn is about how people can be enamoured with those who are better off, Fennell said: “It is voyeurism that is tinged with condescension. It’s this cycle: ‘I’m looking at this person and I want to f— them, but that makes me feel bad about myself, so I hate them.’ We can’t help ourselves and have never been so voyeuristic.” It is a constant tension “between desire and revulsion” and that it played out in this country in our relationship with “big houses”.
It’s about Eton-educated prime ministers: Fennell also mused that Britain’s relationship with “elites” had changed, blaming this “rightly” on our government, suggesting that respect had been eroded through various Eton-educated prime ministers. “Our relationship with [elites] has changed enormously, and that’s rightly to do with our government. But we still look. It is more sadomasochistic when you know better. And we as a country can’t stop picking that scab.”
Her own posh background: Her father is the Eton-educated celebrity jeweller Theo Fennell, leading her to admit that there “is always conversation” about her acquaintance with the upper-class world in Britain. “The thing is, because of my job as an actress and writer I’ve taken myself out of all that,” she said, but added: “I mean, I have to introduce myself to people with a straight face as ‘Emerald’. I’ve had to get thick skinned about how absurd I am as a person.”
I think she’s right about the voyeurism and sadomasochism within the stratified British class system, but I’d also like to point out that, from what I can see as an outsider, sadism is a feature and not a bug of the whole British class system. The glee with which sadism is an end unto itself, that the entire system is built on punishment, cruelty and harm. As for Emerald’s belief that she’s “taken herself out” of the posh world… I’m sure she genuinely thinks that, but that’s not how the British class system works. She’s welcome in those elite worlds because she was born into it.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Cover Images.
Emerald Fennell at the Barbie European Premiere at Cineworld in Leicester Square, London, United Kingdom on 12 July 2023.,Image: 788746022, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Cat Morley / Avalon 
Emerald Fennell on the red carpet for the 67th BFI London Film Festival: Saltburn Opening Night Gala at BFI Southbank in Waterloo, London, United Kingdom on 4 October 2023.,Image: 810968018, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Cat Morley / Avalon 
Emerald Fennell attends ‘ Saltburn ‘ Opening Night Gala during the BFI London Film Festival, at the Southbank Centre, Royal Festival Hall in London, England. Wednesday 4th October 2023. -,Image: 811048704, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: NORESTRICTIONS, Model Release: no, Pictured: LFF – ‘ Saltburn ‘ Opening Night Gala, Credit line: JW / Bang Showbiz / Avalon
Emerald Fennell attends ‘ Saltburn ‘ Opening Night Gala during the BFI London Film Festival, at the Southbank Centre, Royal Festival Hall in London, England. Wednesday 4th October 2023. -,Image: 811048815, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: NORESTRICTIONS, Model Release: no, Pictured: LFF – ‘ Saltburn ‘ Opening Night Gala, Credit line: JW / Bang Showbiz / Avalon 
North America Rights Only – London, UK -20220308- Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall as President of WOW – Women of the World Festival, speaks to actress, filmmaker, and writer, Emerald Fennell (centre) and Jude Kelly CBE, Founder and CEO of The WOW Foundation (right), during a reception to mark International Women’s Day at Clarence House. -PICTURED: Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Emerald Fennell -PHOTO by: Arthur Edwards/The Sun/PA Images/INSTARimages.com Disclaimer: This is an editorial, rights-managed image. Please contact INSTAR Images for licensing fee and rights information at sales@instarimages.com or call +1 212 414 0207. This image may not be published in any way that is, or might be deemed to be, defamatory, libelous, pornographic, or obscene. Please consult our sales department for any clarification needed prior to publication and use. INSTAR Images reserves the right to pursue unauthorized users of this material. If you are in violation of our intellectual property rights or copyright you may be liable for damages, loss of income, any profits you derive from the unauthorized use of this material and, where appropriate, the cost of collection and/or any statutory damages awarded For images containing underage children: Be advised that some Countries may have restricted privacy laws against publishing images of underage children. Inform yourself! Underage children may need to be removed or have their face pixelated before publishing Featuring: Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Emerald Fennell Where: London, England, United Kingdom When: 08 Mar 2022 Credit: Arthur Edwards/The Sun/PA Images/INSTARimages.com **North America Rights Only**ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7pLHLnpmirJOdxm%2BvzqZmcWxkbn14e8SmnKuZnJmsp7HNp5ylpI%2BaxbG4wKKlrJeknbKgv8CdoKylj6KutLvCoaCspY%2Bks6DAx56Wm6qZqba0tL6co5qro5TAur%2FTnqRo