‘Very intense’: Elvis’ granddaughter Riley Keough comments on biopic

Keough, known for films like Logan Lucky and American Honey, happened to be at Cannes for her directorial debut War Pony just days before the world premiere of Elvis by flamboyant Australian director Baz Luhrmann.

She told an audience at the French Riviera festival she saw the film recently with her mother, Lisa Marie Presley, and grandmother, Priscilla Presley.

“It was a very emotional experience,” she said.

“There’s a lot of family trauma and generational trauma that started around there. It was a very intense experience.”

Riley Keough

RILEY KEOUGH IS HONOURED THAT BAZ LUHRMANN HELMED ‘ELVIS’

Elvis, which premieres on Wednesday, stars newcomer Austin Butler in the lead role and Tom Hanks as his infamous manager, Colonel Tom Parker.

Despite the discomfort of seeing her family on screen, Keough said she was “honoured” that it was handled by Luhrmann.

“The first movie I ever watched in a theatre where I knew I wanted to make movies was Moulin Rouge! when I was 12,” said Keough.

Riley Keough

EFFORT INTO ELVIS BIOPIC WAS EVIDENT SAYS RILEY KEOUGH

She said it was immediately evident how much effort Luhrmann and Butler had put into capturing the essence of The King.

“That made me emotional and I started crying five minutes in, and didn’t stop, so I need to watch it again,” said Keough.

The family was involved in helping Luhrmann get access to the Presley home, Graceland, and other people from Elvis’s life.

“But at the end of the day, we’re not going to tell Baz Luhrmann how to make a film,” Keough said.

Riley Keough

© Agence France-Presse