SwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

Kidman feels "exposed" in new film

Nicole Kidman has never been a stranger to controversial and challenging film roles. But the scenes in the competition film "Babygirl" go beyond most of what she has done before.

» Updated: 25 September 2024, 08:28

» Published: 30 August 2024

Kidman feels "exposed" in new film
Photo: Joel C Ryan/AP/TT

When the Australian actress meets the press at the film festival in Venice, she talks about the vulnerability she feels before the premiere, including the nude scenes in the film.

It's a film that exposes me. It feels scary now that we're going to show it to the world. At the same time, I'm incredibly proud of what we've done.

In the film, directed by Dutchwoman Halina Reijn, Kidman plays the successful business leader Romy. She is sexually frustrated – in the film's first scene, she has sex with her husband (Antonio Banderas) and immediately afterwards rushes to another room to masturbate.

Threatens the Family

When she meets assistant Samuel (played by Harris Dickinson from "Triangle of Sadness") at work, a relationship begins that eventually threatens both her job and family.

It's a film about desire, about sex, about your innermost thoughts, about marriage, about power. The sexual language is complicated, says Nicole Kidman and continues:

This is a woman's story, and it feels unique that I've been able to do this in a woman's hands. Unfortunately, it's all too rare. How many female directors have films here at the festival this year?

She emphasizes that the film is not about blaming anyone.

What I want to do is explore what it's like to be human and what it's like to be a woman. The film is reminiscent of the 80s erotic thrillers like "Fatal Attraction". But it didn't always end with the woman being punished. That's not the case here.

"Not Exploited"

Nicole Kidman means that it could easily have become a film that exploited female sexuality, as many of the 80s erotic thrillers did, but she trusted Reijn.

I knew I wouldn't be exploited. Every part of me was on board. We were all kind to each other, we all wanted it to feel authentic.

For Nicole Kidman, it was important to feel safe with the director.

Because I surrender completely to that person's hands. We talked a lot about psychology before and during filming, I give myself up, it wouldn't be possible to do it any other way.

Age: 57 years.

Lives: In Nashville.

Family: Husband Keith Urban, four children (two with Tom Cruise).

Occupation: Actress, producer.

Previous films and series in selection: "Days of Thunder", "To the Limit", "Portrait of a Lady", "Eyes Wide Shut", "Moulin Rouge", "The Others", "Dogville", "Grace of Monaco", "The Killing of a Sacred Deer", "Big Little Lies", "The Undoing", "The Northman".

Currently with: "Babygirl", which will have its cinema premiere in Sweden at the beginning of next year. The film is selected for competition at the Venice Film Festival.

Tags
TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

New Director for the World Culture Museums
1 MIN READ

New Director for the World Culture Museums

She receives SvD's literature prize
1 MIN READ

She receives SvD's literature prize

Casia Bromberg is leaving Bromberg's publishing house
1 MIN READ

Casia Bromberg is leaving Bromberg's publishing house

Netflix is making a second Pokémon season
1 MIN READ

Netflix is making a second Pokémon season

These are the artists in "Allsång's" Christmas special
1 MIN READ

These are the artists in "Allsång's" Christmas special

This is how the married couples fare in the SVT series
3 MIN READ

This is how the married couples fare in the SVT series

Rod Stewart Slows Down
1 MIN READ

Rod Stewart Slows Down

Swede Snubbed for Prestigious Literary Prize
1 MIN READ

Swede Snubbed for Prestigious Literary Prize

"Duck" on tour with new solo show
1 MIN READ

"Duck" on tour with new solo show

Silver duct-taped banana sold for five million dollars
2 MIN READ

Silver duct-taped banana sold for five million dollars

Tommy Körberg returns in "Änglagård"
1 MIN READ

Tommy Körberg returns in "Änglagård"

Premiere for "Rust" – three years after the fatal shooting
2 MIN READ

Premiere for "Rust" – three years after the fatal shooting

Cultural Allocations Down to 2004 Levels
2 MIN READ

Cultural Allocations Down to 2004 Levels

Jonas Gardell's "Boarding House Oskar" Becomes a Play
1 MIN READ

Jonas Gardell's "Boarding House Oskar" Becomes a Play

The Bandmates Said Goodbye to Liam Payne
2 MIN READ

The Bandmates Said Goodbye to Liam Payne

This week's film and series – A spectacular robbery story
2 MIN READ

This week's film and series – A spectacular robbery story

Laleh celebrates 20 years - embarks on a major summer tour
1 MIN READ

Laleh celebrates 20 years - embarks on a major summer tour

"The Last Pill" – In-Depth on Anxiety and Pills
1 MIN READ

"The Last Pill" – In-Depth on Anxiety and Pills

Eurovision Song Contest Threatened by Referendum
3 MIN READ

Eurovision Song Contest Threatened by Referendum

René Magritte painting sold for billions
1 MIN READ

René Magritte painting sold for billions