Princess Diana: Spencer film criticised by royal experts
Kristen Stewart, 30, has starred in multiple films and box office hits since she started her acting career at just eight years old. She is best known for playing Bella Swan in the American novelist Stephenie Meyer’s famous Twilight saga. But Kristen’s latest role sees her play an iconic British figure: Princess Diana.
The first photos of Kristen in costume as Diana were released last weekend.
In one photo, the actress is seen shooting a scene in Friedrichshof Palace in Germany, which will serve as Sandringham’s double in the film.
Kristen is wearing a cream cowl neck sweater similar to the one the real Diana wore in 1983 during a photoshoot in Kensington Palace.
The second photo shows Kristen in a black hat, black pussy-bow silk blouse, and red blazer.
We will use your email address only for sending you newsletters. Please see our Privacy Notice for details of your data protection rights.
Kristen’s physical appearance – her hair, make-up, and clothes – has been drastically transformed in these two photos to look eerily similar to Diana.
But what does her body language reveal about the way the American actress will play the British princess?
Body language expert Judi James says that “there are two versions of Diana anyone mimicking her can pick up on”.
These are “the multi-faceted Diana” and “the stereotype of Diana”.
DON’T MISS:
Kate Middleton and Prince William’s body language suggests ‘competitive’ relationship [ROYALS]
Dustin Diamond net worth: How much Save By The Bell star earned during career [NET WORTH]
Kate Middleton and William ‘increasing romantic affection’ is ‘unique’ for heir to throne [EXPERT]
Judi describes the facial expressions of “the multi-faceted Diana” as “fleeting, making her look sad and reflective one moment but strong, smart, flirty and funny the next”.
“Or there is the stereotype of Diana, all doe-eyed drippiness under a layered blonde wig,” she says.
Judi adds: “You could track her emotions via her huge eyes and ironic-looking grin and the reason for her popularity in the press was her ability to make the readers and fans smile.”
Although Diana’s iconic head tilt gesture earned her the label ‘Shy Di’, according to Judi, the body language expert also says: “Anyone on the receiving end of the dazzling eye contact that came with the head tilt would realise the core of confidence and desire to connect that underlined it.”
Judi lists examples of the Princess’s confidence: “This was the woman who danced on stage with Wayne Sleep, and the woman who showed up her husband on their very first tour by playing a jaw-droppingly talented chunk of Rachmaninoff on the piano.
“She also showed glimpses of the tragedy of her marriage, but the knowing grins and eye-rolls that she shared with the fans seemed to signal that she always wanted to be seen as a survivor in control of her own destiny,” Judi adds.
Despite these multi-faceted facial expressions that Judi mentions, the body language expert says that Kristen’s photos seem to reveal that the actress has chosen to mimic the “stereotype” version of Diana.
Judi says: “Sadly the still of Kristen in a hat suggests the doe-eye ‘drippy’ stereotype might just be due for a regurgitation.”
However, Judi adds that “it’s probably important to not judge a performance from one still though”.
“Hopefully the actress known for her unsmiling demeanour off-set, plus her intense movie roles, will be able to capture the genuinely fun, self-effacing but also strong and determined side of the princess,” she says.
Spencer, directed by Chilean filmmaker Pablo Larraín, will be released in autumn this year.
The film will focus on the 1991 Christmas weekend in Sandringham: a pivotal moment in Diana’s life, when she decides to get a divorce from Prince Charles.
Source: Read Full Article
