Harry Melling on His Intimate and Reckless Role in Butterfly Jam

Harry Melling returns to Cannes for the second consecutive year, starring as Marat, a reckless, mustached lowlife in New Jersey's Circassian community, in Kantemir Balagov's film Butterfly Jam. The film opened the Directors' Fortnight section and also features Barry Keoghan and Riley Keogh. Melling discusses his character's lack of roots and the danger that entails, as well as his improvisational work with Keoghan. Butterfly Jam is Balagov's first film since leaving Russia after criticizing the invasion of Ukraine; it was originally set in Nalchik but transposed to New Jersey. Melling's recent career includes Harvest, Pillion, and The Queen's Gambit. He credits The Ballad of Buster Scruggs for opening a new chapter. Butterfly Jam has been divisive at Cannes, unlike the well-received Pillion.