Reporting for duty
Newcomer Fionn Whitehead and rock star Harry Styles bonded making the World War II epic ‘Dunkirk’
OOne has performed in front of sold-out stadiums, the other was working in a coffee shop less than two years ago, but they are both first-time movie stars. After their gruelling shoot playing British soldiers desperately fleeing a French beach in Oscar-nominated director Christopher Nolan’s new World War II thriller Dunkirk, British pop star Harry Styles, 23, and London-based newcomer Fionn Whitehead, 20, share a brotherly rapport. They also have a new appreciation for hot showers.
What was your favourite day on-set?
Styles: There were a couple when we were just out in the water all day that felt like they were the most rewarding when they were done. During, they were the worst days. Whitehead: I find it really funny that [crew members] kept running in with warm coats, but we were covered with water. So they’d give us these warm coats, and then we’d get the inside wet and then we’d put them back on and they’d be all slimy. Styles: Yeah, [it was] freezing cold. We’d be out on the boats and it’d be us and extras and stuntmen and stuff like that. It turned into everyone huddling together to stay warm. I think that kind of stuff was some of my favourite. It was pretty instinctive.
Did it give you a new perspective?
Styles: Yeah! I think it gives you the perspective of someone who gets to take their uniform off and go home and shower and go to bed. The people who were [really] there didn’t, and they were being shot at and slept in those clothes and woke up and did that stuff the next day. It gives you a new-found appreciation for ... showering, for one! Whitehead: The minute anyone complained, someone would pipe up, like, “Well, at least you weren’t there.” And then everyone would feel really bad and crawl away to a hole somewhere.
How did you spend your downtime?
Styles: I slept most of it. I’d say 90 per cent of what wasn’t filming, I was asleep. I mastered the sleep-swim. I definitely fell asleep while floating [during filming] a couple times. It was nice, refreshing. Whitehead: We both managed to find a way to fall asleep on demand. If there was a fiveminute break, we just turned over and zzz. I think you’re the best at it, actually. I’m pretty good, but you’re the best at falling asleep.
Fionn, do you have a favourite Harry Styles song?
Whitehead: I heard a bit of one. I don’t know the name of it. I’ve heard your songs. I like them! Styles: Thanks, man. Thank you.
I guess this means that Harry isn’t prone to break into song on-set?
Whitehead: I’m pretty sure you sang a bit on-set. Styles: There’s no chance! Whitehead: You sang words, though. You didn’t really sing songs. You just sort of sang “Hello!” or “Good morning!” Styles: More of a spoken word.
Have you thought about your next steps?
Styles: I don’t think so. This was such an amazing experience and I feel very lucky to have been able to be a part of it. I don’t think you can really think too far ahead with anything. Whitehead: I just want to keep acting, reading scripts and seeing what I like.
Harry, would you do another movie?
Styles: I’d do this one again. Dunkirk 2? Styles: For sure. Whitehead: Dunkirk: The Return. Styles: I don’t know if that’s part of the story.
“I don’t think you can really think too far ahead” —Harry Styles