How Rooney and Kate Mara spoke in unison for Herzog
How Rooney and Kate Mara learned to speak in unison for Werner Herzog's "Bucking Fastard" came down to shared history more than rehearsal: both sisters said the sync felt natural, almost musical, and Herzog needed only five days of prep before shooting.
The siblings discussed the unusual technique at a Venice Film Festival press conference ahead of the film's Thursday premiere, according to Variety. For more festival and screen news, see our Streaming & TV Alerts hub.
Key Takeaways
- Rooney and Kate Mara speak in unison on screen in Herzog's "Bucking Fastard," a first shared credit for the sisters.
- Both said the synchronized dialogue "happened quite naturally," with Kate comparing it to a song.
- Herzog cut prep from two allotted weeks to five days after gaining "complete confidence" in them.
- The drama is loosely inspired by British twins Freda and Greta Chaplin; Orlando Bloom and Domhnall Gleeson also star.
How did Rooney and Kate learn to speak in unison?
Rooney said the idea of playing "this kind of same person" felt daunting at first. A lifetime of shared history and childhood play quickly closed the gap.
"There was just an unspoken world between us that we didn't have to work very hard to create at all," she said. "I've never laughed so much, it was a very once in a lifetime, unique experience."
Kate described speaking in synchronicity as feeling "almost like a song." "We had this unspoken sort of rhythm together," she said. "It was very musical. It sort of happened quite naturally. Surprisingly, it came with a lot more ease than we were expecting."
Why did Werner Herzog cast the Mara sisters?
Herzog said he had wanted to make "Bucking Fastard" for years, but it only became "clear it could be done" after he met Rooney and Kate. He noted the sisters "hardly needed any rehearsals" to lock the unison speech.
Though two weeks of prep were allotted, he was ready to roll cameras after five days. "I had complete confidence with them," Herzog said.
What is 'Bucking Fastard' about?
Per the synopsis cited by Variety, the film follows two siblings so close they "speak in unison, love the same man, and have the same dreams." It is loosely inspired by real British identical twins Freda and Greta Chaplin, who became tabloid sensations after becoming besotted with their neighbor, who eventually took out a restraining order.
The daring title comes from a spoonerism the twins made—simultaneously—while they were in court. Orlando Bloom and Domhnall Gleeson round out the cast. The project also marks the first time the Mara sisters share the screen.
Herzog dedicated the film to his late friend David Lynch. "I wish he could be in my first audience," Herzog said. "Now, since he's not with us anymore, I wish I could turn the wheel of time back and invite him tonight."