Andrew Garfield on 'The Uprising': A 14th-Century Revolt With a Modern Message

Andrew Garfield says his new film, 'The Uprising,' a historical drama set during the 1381 Peasant's Revolt, carries a message that feels strikingly relevant to the present day. The actor, who plays an ordinary ploughman joining the rebellion against King Richard II, believes the centuries-old story speaks to a modern moment of widespread social change.

"It feels very current," Garfield said. "Everyone in the world has a soul, and we're all yearning for deep meaning and connection and to feel like the world is more just than it currently is, so I think there's a lot to rail against and rage against."

Director and writer Paul Greengrass, who penned the script during the 2020 lockdown, noted that the film took six years to bring to the screen. He said the project was a joy to make, partly because of the surprising parallels between medieval times and today. "Technology changes but human beings don't," Greengrass observed.

The director also addressed comparisons between the film's protagonist and the legendary figure of Robin Hood. He explained that the outlaw myth emerged in the aftermath of the historical revolt, as people told stories of someone willing to stand up to the powerful during times of hardship.

The film also stars Katherine Waterston, Thomasin McKenzie, and Woody Norman. 'The Uprising' is scheduled for release in US theatres on September 10.