Nicole Kidman’s Erotic Drama Babygirl Sets Pulses Racing at Venice Film Festival: Erotica Returns to Screens After Years of Chastity.
Babygirl director Halina Reijn
with Harris Dickinson and Nicole Kidman during a photocall at the Venice film
festival.
Nicole Kidman’s Erotic Drama Babygirl Sets Pulses Racing at Venice Film Festival: Erotica Returns to Screens After Years of Chastity.
It’s been 25 years since Nicole Kidman graced our screens in Stanley Kubrick’s erotic masterpiece Eyes Wide Shut, alongside her then-husband, Tom Cruise. Since then, Kidman, an Oscar-winning actress, has largely shied away from roles of such an explicit nature. However, this year’s Venice Film Festival sees her make a sensational return to the genre, with the premiere of Babygirl, a film that’s already generating significant buzz and controversy.
Directed by the Dutch filmmaker Halina Reijn, Babygirl stars Kidman as a high-powered CEO who embarks on an illicit affair with her much younger intern, played by Harris Dickinson. Antonio Banderas takes on the role of her unsuspecting husband. The film is among a host of sexually explicit features on this year’s Venice lineup, signaling a significant resurgence of erotica in mainstream cinema after what many have described as a period of chastity.
Nicole Kidman with Harris Dickinson in a scene from Babygirl
The Plot of Babygirl: A Deep Dive into Desire and Power
Babygirl is not just a film about sex; it’s a complex exploration of desire, power dynamics, and the secrets we keep hidden even from those closest to us. Kidman’s character is a woman of immense power and influence, yet her personal life is fraught with deceit and a yearning for something more. The affair she begins with her intern is not just a reckless fling but a desperate attempt to reclaim a sense of freedom and control in a life that has become increasingly suffocating.
At a press conference during the Venice Film Festival, Kidman described the film as a deeply liberating experience. “This is one woman’s story, and I hope it’s a very liberating story. It’s told by a woman, through her gaze. That’s, to me, what made it so unique … and freeing,” she said. This focus on the female perspective is a central theme of the film, offering a refreshing take on a genre that has often been dominated by the male gaze.
The Collaboration Between Kidman and Reijn
Kidman has been vocal about how important it was to her to work with a female director on a project of this nature. Halina Reijn, known for her fearless approach to storytelling, was the perfect partner for this venture. Kidman has praised Reijn’s sensitivity and understanding in handling the film’s more explicit scenes. “I knew she wasn’t going to exploit me. There was enormous caretaking by all of us, we were all very gentle with each other. It felt very authentic, protected and, at the same time, real,” Kidman said.
The trust between director and actor was paramount in creating a film that is both daring and respectful. The result is a film that does not shy away from its erotic content but presents it in a way that is both artistic and deeply meaningful.
Antonio Banderas on Babygirl: A Reflection on Human Nature
Antonio Banderas, who plays Kidman’s husband in the film, also shared his thoughts on the film’s bold themes. He praised Reijn for her courage in bringing such a provocative story to the screen. “In a way, we are prisoners of our instincts, like animals,” Banderas said. “There’s nothing democratic about nature. We didn’t ask to be born. We didn’t ask to be human. We are attached to what we are. And this is a woman who talks about that with incredible freedom. I’m proud to be part of that [at a time] when we’re all put in boxes.”
Babygirl is not just about a woman’s sexual awakening; it’s a commentary on the human condition, on the primal desires that drive us all, and the societal constraints that seek to contain them.
The Return of Erotica to the Big Screen
The release of Babygirl at the Venice Film Festival marks a noticeable shift in the cinematic landscape. In recent years, the depiction of eroticism in mainstream cinema had dwindled, with a 2019 Playboy study revealing that only one in every 100 movies released in the 2010s included a sex scene – fewer than any decade since the 1960s. This decline has been attributed to various factors, including the rise of streaming services and a growing cultural sensitivity around issues of consent and representation.
However, the tide seems to be turning. “There are quite a lot of erotic films this year, which was unexpected,” said festival director Alberto Barbera. “In the last 20 years, it seemed like the representation of eroticism and sex on screen had almost disappeared. It was like a form of absurd self-censorship. But now it’s back.”
Alongside Babygirl, this year’s Venice Film Festival features several other titles that delve into sexual relationships, including Luca Guadagnino’s Queer, starring Daniel Craig, and Alfonso Cuarón’s psychological thriller series Disclaimer, starring Cate Blanchett. These films, along with others, explore a wide range of sexual experiences, from sadomasochism to homoeroticism, reflecting the evolving nature of erotic cinema.
The Evolution of Erotic Cinema: A Focus on Inclusivity
One of the most significant changes in modern erotic cinema is its inclusivity. Where once the genre may have focused predominantly on heteronormative experiences, today’s films are more likely to centre female pleasure, explore queer relationships, and depict a variety of kinks and fetishes. “If Babygirl was made 30 years ago, a female protagonist engaging in illicit behaviour would doubtless be punished in some way,” Barbera noted. This evolution is evident in Babygirl, where the narrative does not seek to judge or moralise but simply to explore.
Director Halina Reijn has a clear vision for this new era of erotic cinema. Having previously worked alongside Paul Verhoeven, known for his work on Basic Instinct, Reijn wanted to create a film that was rooted in the “female gaze.” One of the motivations behind Babygirl was to address what Reijn describes as the “huge orgasm gap” between men and women, a topic that has been largely ignored in mainstream cinema.
The Role of Intimacy Coordinators in Modern Cinema
The resurgence of erotic cinema has also been supported by the introduction of intimacy coordinators, a practice that has become standard on film sets following the #MeToo movement. These professionals ensure that actors feel safe and respected during the filming of intimate scenes. Arielle Zadok, an intimacy coordinator and sexologist, noted that the presence of coordinators has led to more authentic and confident performances. “What I often hear from cast is how clear they were on what was happening, how comfortable they felt sharing their needs and boundaries … This is a far cry from how things were done in the past – vague, uninformed and, in the worst cases, coerced.”
Zadok also highlighted that modern sex scenes are more likely to depict a broader range of sexual experiences and identities, reflecting the diverse desires of contemporary audiences.
A New Chapter in Erotic Cinema
Nicole Kidman’s return to the erotic genre with Babygirl is a significant moment in modern cinema. The film’s premiere at the Venice Film Festival signals not just a resurgence of erotica on the big screen, but also a shift towards more inclusive, thoughtful, and artistically ambitious depictions of sex and desire. As Babygirl sets pulses racing, it also opens the door for a new era of erotic storytelling, one that is as diverse and complex as the desires it seeks to explore.
Babygirl is not just a film about sex; it’s a complex exploration of desire, power dynamics, and the secrets we keep hidden even from those closest to us. Kidman’s character is a woman of immense power and influence, yet her personal life is fraught with deceit and a yearning for something more. The affair she begins with her intern is not just a reckless fling but a desperate attempt to reclaim a sense of freedom and control in a life that has become increasingly suffocating.
At a press conference during the Venice Film Festival, Kidman described the film as a deeply liberating experience. “This is one woman’s story, and I hope it’s a very liberating story. It’s told by a woman, through her gaze. That’s, to me, what made it so unique … and freeing,” she said. This focus on the female perspective is a central theme of the film, offering a refreshing take on a genre that has often been dominated by the male gaze.
The Collaboration Between Kidman and Reijn
Kidman has been vocal about how important it was to her to work with a female director on a project of this nature. Halina Reijn, known for her fearless approach to storytelling, was the perfect partner for this venture. Kidman has praised Reijn’s sensitivity and understanding in handling the film’s more explicit scenes. “I knew she wasn’t going to exploit me. There was enormous caretaking by all of us, we were all very gentle with each other. It felt very authentic, protected and, at the same time, real,” Kidman said.
The trust between director and actor was paramount in creating a film that is both daring and respectful. The result is a film that does not shy away from its erotic content but presents it in a way that is both artistic and deeply meaningful.
Antonio Banderas on Babygirl: A Reflection on Human Nature
Antonio Banderas, who plays Kidman’s husband in the film, also shared his thoughts on the film’s bold themes. He praised Reijn for her courage in bringing such a provocative story to the screen. “In a way, we are prisoners of our instincts, like animals,” Banderas said. “There’s nothing democratic about nature. We didn’t ask to be born. We didn’t ask to be human. We are attached to what we are. And this is a woman who talks about that with incredible freedom. I’m proud to be part of that [at a time] when we’re all put in boxes.”
Babygirl is not just about a woman’s sexual awakening; it’s a commentary on the human condition, on the primal desires that drive us all, and the societal constraints that seek to contain them.
The Return of Erotica to the Big Screen
The release of Babygirl at the Venice Film Festival marks a noticeable shift in the cinematic landscape. In recent years, the depiction of eroticism in mainstream cinema had dwindled, with a 2019 Playboy study revealing that only one in every 100 movies released in the 2010s included a sex scene – fewer than any decade since the 1960s. This decline has been attributed to various factors, including the rise of streaming services and a growing cultural sensitivity around issues of consent and representation.
However, the tide seems to be turning. “There are quite a lot of erotic films this year, which was unexpected,” said festival director Alberto Barbera. “In the last 20 years, it seemed like the representation of eroticism and sex on screen had almost disappeared. It was like a form of absurd self-censorship. But now it’s back.”
Alongside Babygirl, this year’s Venice Film Festival features several other titles that delve into sexual relationships, including Luca Guadagnino’s Queer, starring Daniel Craig, and Alfonso Cuarón’s psychological thriller series Disclaimer, starring Cate Blanchett. These films, along with others, explore a wide range of sexual experiences, from sadomasochism to homoeroticism, reflecting the evolving nature of erotic cinema.
The Evolution of Erotic Cinema: A Focus on Inclusivity
One of the most significant changes in modern erotic cinema is its inclusivity. Where once the genre may have focused predominantly on heteronormative experiences, today’s films are more likely to centre female pleasure, explore queer relationships, and depict a variety of kinks and fetishes. “If Babygirl was made 30 years ago, a female protagonist engaging in illicit behaviour would doubtless be punished in some way,” Barbera noted. This evolution is evident in Babygirl, where the narrative does not seek to judge or moralise but simply to explore.
Director Halina Reijn has a clear vision for this new era of erotic cinema. Having previously worked alongside Paul Verhoeven, known for his work on Basic Instinct, Reijn wanted to create a film that was rooted in the “female gaze.” One of the motivations behind Babygirl was to address what Reijn describes as the “huge orgasm gap” between men and women, a topic that has been largely ignored in mainstream cinema.
The Role of Intimacy Coordinators in Modern Cinema
The resurgence of erotic cinema has also been supported by the introduction of intimacy coordinators, a practice that has become standard on film sets following the #MeToo movement. These professionals ensure that actors feel safe and respected during the filming of intimate scenes. Arielle Zadok, an intimacy coordinator and sexologist, noted that the presence of coordinators has led to more authentic and confident performances. “What I often hear from cast is how clear they were on what was happening, how comfortable they felt sharing their needs and boundaries … This is a far cry from how things were done in the past – vague, uninformed and, in the worst cases, coerced.”
Zadok also highlighted that modern sex scenes are more likely to depict a broader range of sexual experiences and identities, reflecting the diverse desires of contemporary audiences.
A New Chapter in Erotic Cinema
Nicole Kidman’s return to the erotic genre with Babygirl is a significant moment in modern cinema. The film’s premiere at the Venice Film Festival signals not just a resurgence of erotica on the big screen, but also a shift towards more inclusive, thoughtful, and artistically ambitious depictions of sex and desire. As Babygirl sets pulses racing, it also opens the door for a new era of erotic storytelling, one that is as diverse and complex as the desires it seeks to explore.
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