Actor Andrew Garfield recently shared that filming the historical drama “The Uprising” was a “miserable” yet ultimately rewarding experience. Speaking on the “SmartLess” podcast, Garfield described the conditions of the shoot, which focused on England’s 1381 Peasants’ Revolt. The film, directed by Paul Greengrass, was shot in Munich, Germany, with much of the production taking place in a single field that stood in for various peasant landscapes.
“We were mostly in a one field in Munich that was being doubled for a lot of different peasants fields in Munich,” Garfield said. “It was miserable.” Despite the difficult circumstances, he clarified that it was the “best possible” kind of misery.
Garfield praised director Paul Greengrass, calling him an “incredible filmmaker” and a leader who inspires dedication. “He’s one of those team captains that kind of makes you want to suffer for him,” Garfield explained.
Garfield’s comments follow a recent controversy stemming from his remarks at a Los Angeles film screening. He expressed a hope that the film would be “galvanizing” for audiences and awaken a sense of shared struggle. “I hope there’s some awakening that people feel … that we all feel like our own struggles are being reflected in the struggles of these characters from a distant time and place and that it could be directive,” he said.
These statements drew criticism from some, including Spencer Pratt, who questioned Garfield’s remarks about billionaires, referencing the actor's reported $5 million salary for playing Sam Altman in another project. Garfield has not directly addressed this criticism.