desert solitaire | Schön! Magazine

trench coat. The Frankie Shop
shirt + trousers. CDLP
loafers. Duke + Dexter

There is a sharpness behind Shazad Latif’s eyes that demands attention and commands a presence, an intensity made for the silver screen. On the other side of the coin is an incredible kindness that can’t be overlooked. The conversation is easy. We chat about old movies, of growing up with parents who had an appreciation of films, and watching films that we shouldn’t have been watching at such a young age — shout out to ‘Casino’ and ‘Snatch’ for not being age-appropriate but giving us that appreciation all the same.

A true artist, who recognizes that filmmaking and artistry is the heartbeat of any society, Latif knows that we need these stories now more than ever. Beyond entertainment, films are here to make us take pause, breathe and feel something, even if it’s for a short period of time.

It’s that appreciation of the movies that spurred Latif to be an actor. Now, starring alongside Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi in Emerald Fennell’s ‘Wuthering Heights’, Latif plays the foil to Elordi’s Heathcliff, Edgar Linton — a role he hopes will propel him, he tells us. From playing a spy in ‘Spooks’ (or MI-5 in North America) to the endearing (if infuriating) Clem Fandango in ‘Toast of London’, Latif has worn many hats. A Renaissance man in so many respects, he takes on each role with a fervour. With ‘Wuthering Heights’, he’s excited for audiences to embrace Fennell’s rendition of the story. Eager for other directors to take a crack at some of the classics, in hopes that this will give way to new adaptations in the future.

I read an article from Bustle recently that you credit your love of film to your parents, and relatable because my mom raised me on black and white films, so I have to ask: what were the staple films in your household? And which ones do you find yourself going back to?

Wow, that’s a big and hard question. When my dad came over to England when he was around 13 – 15 years old, he worked as a film road changer during one of the golden ages of cinema in the 70s. His taste was always great, but I think I was watching inappropriate movies way too young [laughs]. I remember watching ‘Casino’ way too young, ‘Elephant Man,’ and sort of hiding under the covers. I probably shouldn’t have been watching it, but that’s where the love probably started.

With my nan and my mum, it was all black and white movies. It was ‘Great Expectations’, ‘Weathering Heights’, which was one of the VHSs. ‘El Cid’, which is a weird old movie, lots of Charlton Heston and Bette Davis. My mom would keep a little journal of her favourite movies when she went to the cinema. We’d cut the little explanations out of Radio Times, an old TV magazine, and we’d stick them into the journal.

I played football and watched movies — that was pretty much my childhood, and I had arguments with my brother and ate curry with my family. It was a lot of playing out and watching movies. All the black and whites. I convinced my beautiful friends I’m staying with in LA to watch ‘The Apartment’ last night.

Love that movie. Shirley MacLaine is at her best.

I really think it’s one of the greats. We were talking about it in a grocery store, and some lady thought I said John Lennon. I said, “no, it’s Jack Lemmon.” Then a guy down the aisle said, “No, it’s Jack Lemon.” I was like, “this is so LA.” But yes, it’s great. I love films.

shirt + trousers. Toga Virilis
loafers. Malone Souliers
necklace. Maya Magal
rings. The Ouze

What’s the earliest memory you have of feeling moved by a film?

I guess it would have been something animated — probably ‘The Lion King’ or something like that. The Disney ‘Robin Hood’, I was quite obsessed with that movie. ‘The Jungle Book’, all of the Disney films. A lot of that probably seeped in early. But then Baz Luhrmann’s ‘Romeo + Juliet’, we snuck into the cinema.

Rebel.

We got in when I was about 10. I had the poster on my wall and would reenact the scenes. I’d try to copy Leonardo DiCaprio, wearing weird coloured shirts we got from a car boot sale, pretending it was the same Venice Beach kind of thing. That one really affected me because it was about love, and it hit right as you’re starting to understand romance. That was a big emotional one. ‘Titanic’ was another. My boys and I even had a crying competition after seeing it to see who could cry first to the soundtrack — I’ve never told anyone that [laughter]. Those two were huge because it was ’97, ’98.

I was 10, so films were starting to affect me differently. Before that, it was mostly animation. I mean, watching ‘Casino’ at six probably terribly affected me, but not emotionally. I do remember watching ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’. My uncle Bernard and my mum were trying to explain how emotional the ending would be, because the beginning is so funny. That really stayed with me. And ‘Great Expectations’ — the whole story. Those two had the biggest emotional impact on me.

You’ve delved into Shakespeare, you’ve been to space via ‘Star Trek’, you’ve been Dr. Jekyll, and now you’ve entered the world of ‘Wuthering Heights’. What is it about acting that thrills you?

It’s never boring. As you said, I’ll never get to go to space or be an astronaut, but you get to explore these worlds. It’s constantly changing — you meet new people and dive into stories, characters, and lives you’d never otherwise encounter, or you do and then become obsessed with that world.

It’s emotional. It’s storytelling. It’s a way of feeling alive at a time when everyday life can feel numbing. Every generation goes through it, but it really feels like we’re in a period of transition as a civilization, and it’s quite scary. Our senses are dulled, we’re all on autopilot — going through routines, stressed, chasing goals. Acting, those moments between action and cut, are a bit of respite from that. Like playing sports or any distraction from the daily grind, it’s nice to step into that imaginary space, even just for a little while.

trench coat. The Frankie Shop
shirt + trousers. CDLP
loafers. Duke + Dexter
opposite
coat. Kulaskovsky
pyjamas. Derek Rose
loafers. Russell & Bromley
necklace. Maya Magal
tie. mfpen
rings. The Ouze

When you’re looking at a new role or when a script comes to you, what are you looking for before you say, “Yes, this is something I want to take on?”

Is the character interesting? Can I visualize it? Is it something I can easily see myself doing? If the script is good, if the dialogue sounds right, if it’s an exciting world. I don’t have as much choice right now — what comes through, comes through. I’m hoping that after this mov,ie things will start to snowball a bit. But it’s always about the story and the character, and if it’s high quality, and you’re working with good directors, a new director, or a DOP you want to work with, all of that comes into play.

Speaking of scripts, what were your thoughts when you read Emerald Fennell’s script? First impressions?

When a script is that good, it just flows differently. The pacing is right, so it’s never boring. It’s funny, beautiful, and heartbreaking. You’re immediately in the world, and it doesn’t feel like it takes long to read because it’s so engaging. You already know the story, so you’re seeing what’s changed and what’s stayed the same. There was even a nice bit of artwork on the front of the script. Seeing her name on it, I just thought, “Wow — I’m in this one.”

Can you talk a little about your interpretation of Edgar Linton, and what made him interesting to you in this version?

What was exciting was obviously playing opposite Margot Robbie and being the foil to Jacob Elordi. He’s such a stunningly beautiful, amazing man [laughter]. You’re like, “Oh, okay, this is going to be easy. I’ll just play the cuckold.”

You meet him for the first time, and he’s 6’5”. If someone asked me to describe Jacob, I’d say he’s like a Greek god — Achilles, Hercules — but also an Aussie dude. He’s the height of a basketball player with the soul of John Keats. He’s the perfect guy. And you’re just like, “Oh, God.” It makes my job as Edgar much easier — being jealous and all of that. What Emerald wanted to do, which is slightly different from the book, was make Edgar a credible threat. He’s not just rich — he’s clever, he’s kind, and Cathy really does love him. She wants to be loyal; it’s just that the other love is pulling her away. And that love is more powerful.

blazer + shirt. Paul Smith
boxers. Derek Rose
slippers. Pickett
necklace. Maya Magal
scarf. Aspinal of London
rings. The Ouze
socks. Falke

On a scale of 1 to 10, how heartbroken am I going to be by the end of it? Who am I going to root for?

It’s hard not to root for Jacob, because he’s just so… At one point, I was like, “Wait — no, no, I’m Edgar. Don’t root for yourself!” [laughs] But no, it’s heartbreaking.

I’ll remember to bring tissues. Is there another classic you would personally like to see adapted into film?

They’re doing ‘East of Eden’, which is such a great book. They were filming in New Zealand when I was there, but I think it’s a TV series. I don’t know — maybe, if I wanted to be in it, we could roll back to something like ‘Arabian Nights’ or give ‘Sinbad’ another go.

shirt + trousers. Toga Virilis
loafers. Malone Souliers
necklace. Maya Magal
rings. The Ouze

Sinbad would be amazing!

I don’t remember when ‘The Last Great Expectations’ was — it feels like there have been quite a few TV versions. There was the Robert De Niro and Gwyneth Paltrow film, which was a while back, wasn’t it? There are so many adaptations. I’d love to see a director’s take on it, like the way Emerald’s done this — just really make it their own.

I genuinely can’t wait to see what she does with it. Moving forward, how has being an actor and an artist informed how you see the world and how you move through it?

That’s an interesting question. I wanted to do something that allowed me to express myself, because where I was from, that was quite rare. I was just playing football and watching movies. Acting became a kind of survival — it was a way out of my circumstances. We grew up very poor. When you become a teenager and start watching arthouse films, becoming a romantic and engaging with all these ideas, you’re really just trying to feel something in a world that can be bleak and dark. I guess it’s a form of hope.

It’s one of our strengths as actors. What we do can inspire hope and remind people of being young and watching films. There’s a sense of life-changing possibility when you watch a film — no matter the genre — you can leave the cinema feeling something, inspired to change your life, or at least to hope. That’s what I love about being an artist.

There are, of course, more important jobs — doctors, people working in war zones — that work truly matters. But I think one of our strengths lies in keeping the heart alive. And artists are the heart.

blazer + shirt. Paul Smith
boxers. Derek Rose
slippers. Pickett
necklace. Maya Magal
scarf. Aspinal of London
rings. The Ouze
socks. Falke
opposite
jacket. Kulaskovsky
shirt. Margaret Howell
trousers + tie. Mr P
shoes. Malone Souliers
watch. Montblanc
rings. The Ouze

I completely agree. Since you mentioned the heart, what is it that keeps people coming back to stories like ‘Wuthering Heights’, ‘Pride and Prejudice’, and ‘Sense and Sensibility’? Why do you think these stories are still so popular hundreds of years later?

For one, they’re part of the classic canon for a reason. They’re incredible pieces of literature that really strike a chord. People are obsessed with period dramas — I am too. There’s that classic English fantasy we all carry, and we all want a Mr. Darcy or a Heathcliff. I remember growing up with my mum constantly talking about that ‘Pride and Prejudice’ TV adaptation with Colin Firth — she was always talking about Mr. Darcy. We’re all obsessed with love in some form. There’s something about the way period dramas handle it — the repression, the palpable feelings, the tension.

Jacob was saying the other day that when he was on the moors, it felt like the spirits of Cathy and Heathcliff were there. That’s what’s beautiful about stories — they exist forever. They’re immortal, and they keep making new generations feel something. It’s a beautiful thing to think about — that these stories continue to touch people across time.

And lastly, when you look at your career so far, what’s a lesson you’ve learned about yourself, and what’s a lesson you’ve learned about the industry?

You learn how to navigate situations more easily — how not to react in certain moments, how to stay focused, how to operate. There’s a constant process of getting to know your own mind and learning how to work with people as a team. I learn new things about the industry every day. It can be an amazing place, and it can be very brutal, especially as a person of colour. You never quite know what’s going to happen when you wake up — but I’ll tell you this: it’s never boring.

jacket. Kulaskovsky
shirt. Margaret Howell
trousers + tie. Mr P
shoes. Malone Souliers
watch. Montblanc
rings. The Ouze

‘Wuthering Heights’ is in theatres this Friday, February 13th.

photography. Massimiliano Giorgeschi
creative direction. Laurie TB
fashion. Millie Cullum
talent. Shazad Latif
casting. Emma Fleming
grooming. Charlie Cullen @ Forward Artists
videography. James Sharpe
production. Rebekah Kane
photography assistant. Adam Weir
fashion assistant. Sophia Adatia
special thanks. Nick Stear @ Loop VIP
location. art’otel London Battersea
interview. Dana Reboe

left to right
top. Chambre De Fan
trousers. PONDER.ER
skirt. JGP
shoes. Christian Louboutin
earrings. MENMOVARY X MONSECRET
dress. ETIENNE JEANSON
t-shirt. CERTIFICATE DEL REY
trousers. L’AMOUR BRUT
shoes. ROGER VIVIER
hat. Levi’s
necklace + bracelets. PERRINE TAVERNITI

Time to play dress up with Yeseul Kim, Linda, Rae, Lise and Audrey in this Schön! editorial lensed by Florent with styling by Anaïs who dresses them in looks by Christian Louboutin, Levi’s, Patou and others, with hair by stylist Gwen and make up by Anthony.

jacket + trousers. MAITRE PIERRE
t-shirt. TRINITE STUDIO
skirt. PAUL & JOE
shoes. BOTH PARIS
earrings. MENMOVARY X MONSECRET
rings. PORTUGAL JEWELS + MENMOVARY
opposite
t-shirt. MIASIN
dress. PATOU
shoes. BOTH PARIS
earrings + bracelets. PERRINE TAVERNITI

set. ORIANE BEL ENFANT
shoes. BOTH PARIS
earrings. MONSECRET
opposite
t-shirt + short. PATOU
black top + shoes. MAYALI
white top. RIZ POLI
glasses. YRYS EYEWEAR
earrings. MENMOVARY

set. PONDER.ER
shoes. Christian Louboutin
glasses. Dior
earrings. MON SECRET
rings. PORTUGAL JEWELS X MENMOVARY

left to right
t-shirt. THEMAFIA
skirt. TRINITESTUDIO & POSSERY
shoes. ROGER VIVIER
bracelet + rings. PORTUGAL JEWELS
dress. MILAAN
shoes. ROGER VIVIER
earrings + ring. MENMOVARY
full look. Levi’s
body. ETIENNE JEANSON
skirt. MAITRE PIERRE
shoes. Christian Louboutin
earrings. MENMOVARY
necklace + bracelets. PORTUGAL JEWELS
arm bracelet. FLORENCE MOORHEAD
bra. POSSERY
jacket, shirt + skirt. RIZ POLI
shoes. Christian Louboutin
earrings. PERRINE TAVERNITI
necklace. MONSECRET
opposite
green top. HER SENSES
red top. TRINITE STUDIO
skirt. MAYALI
shoes. BOTH PARIS
earrings. PERRINE TAVERNITI
rings. PORTUGAL JEWELS