In a film full of memorable scenes, there’s one in James Cameron’s 1997 epic “Titanic” that stands out for its pure romance: The “I’m flying” scene, in which Kate Winslet’s Rose and Leonardo DiCaprio’s Jack share a passionate kiss on the ship’s bow as the Céline Dion song “My Heart Will Go On” plays in the background.But in reality, the scene was a nightmare to film. At least, according to Kate Winslet.”My god, he’s quite the romancer, isn’t he? No wonder every young girl in the world wanted to be kissed by Leonardo DiCaprio,” Winslet said while rewatching the scene for Vanity Fair. “It was not all it’s cracked up to be.”
Winslet said that Cameron wanted a specific light for the scene, and it kept changing on them. On top of that, there was no way for hair and makeup to do touch-ups on the actors between shots because of where they were standing, so Winslet had to do both their makeup and hide their brushes inside her corset.
The “I’m flying” scene in “Titanic” was reshot four times to get the lighting just right.
Courtesy of Paramount Pictures and 20th Century Fox
“We kept doing this kiss, and I’ve got a lot of pale makeup on and I would have to do our makeup checks — on both of us, between takes — and I would end up looking as though I’d been sucking a caramel chocolate bar after each take because his makeup would come off on me.”DiCaprio, who had fake tan makeup on, looked like “there was a bit missing from his face” after each take, Winslet said. “Oh God, it was such a mess.”Despite all that, the finished received much acclaim. “Titanic” went on to win 11 Oscars, including best picture and best director for Cameron. It was the highest-grossing movie ever until Cameron made “Avatar” in 2009.”I do feel very proud of it because I feel that it is that film that just keeps giving,” Winslet said of “Titanic.” “Whole other generations of people are discovering the film or seeing it for the first time, and there’s something extraordinary about that.”Of course, that means every time Winslet is on a boat, people try to get her to reenact the “I’m flying” scene.Does she agree to do it?”Sometimes yes, sometimes no,” she said.
