A New Perspective on Age-Gap Relationships in “Babygirl“
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Director Halina Reijn’s new erotic thriller, “Babygirl,” starring Nicole Kidman adn Harris Dickinson, is tackling the complexities of age-gap romances head-on.In a recent interview with W Magazine, Reijn shared her thoughts on the film’s theme, emphasizing the need to normalize diverse relationships on screen.
“If we see a movie where the male actor is the same age as the female actor, we find that odd. Which is insane,” Reijn said. “It should completely be normalized that the age gaps switch and that women have different relationships. We’re not trapped in a box anymore. We internalize the male gaze,we internalize patriarchy,and we need to free ourselves from it. It’s really hard.”
Exploring Desire and Power Dynamics
“Babygirl” centers around Romy, a powerful CEO played by Kidman, who risks her career and family for an intense affair with her much younger intern, Samuel, portrayed by Dickinson. Reijn aimed for a representation of intimacy that was both passionate and authentic.
“I wanted the film’s sex scenes ‘to feel incredibly hot and steamy and fun, but I also wanted them to be real,'”
she explained, adding, “Sexuality is stop-and-go. It’s never like a glamour scene from a Hollywood movie in the ’90s. That’s just not how it effectively works.”
Kidman herself resonated with the film’s exploration of female sexuality and desire.
“A lot of times women are discarded at a certain period of their career as a sexual being,” the actress explained. “So it was really lovely to be seen in this way. From the minute I read it, I was like, ‘Yeah, this is a voice I haven’t seen, this is a place that I haven’t been, I don’t think audiences have been.’ my character has reached a stage where she’s got all this power, but she’s not sure who she is, what she wants, what she desires, even tho she seems to have it all. And I think that’s really relatable.”
A Conversation with Halina Reijn on Age Gap Relationships in “Babygirl”
Halina Reijn’s erotic thriller, “Babygirl,” starring Nicole Kidman and Harris Dickinson, explores the complexities of age-gap romances with unflinching honesty. We sat down with Reijn to discuss her bold vision and the film’s importent message.
Challenging Norms
Archyde: Yoru film tackles a relationship dynamic that is often met with judgment. What motivated you to centre “Babygirl” around an age-gap romance?
Halina Reijn: It’s about time we normalize diverse relationships on screen. We see countless films where the male actor is the same age as, or older then, the female actor, and it’s considered completely normal. When the dynamic is reversed, peopel raise eyebrows. That’s absurd. We need to dismantle these outdated perceptions and embrace the full spectrum of human connection.
Authenticity and Desire
Archyde: “Babygirl” aims for a realistic depiction of intimacy. How did you approach filming the sex scenes?
Halina Reijn: I wanted them to be incredibly hot and steamy, but also genuine. Sexuality isn’t always smooth and glamorous; it’s messy and real. I wanted to capture that complexity and authenticity on screen.
Archyde: Nicole Kidman has spoken about the film’s exploration of female desire, particularly at a later stage in life. Why was it critically important for you to portray this aspect of Romy’s character?
Halina reijn: Society frequently enough sidelines women as sexual beings after a certain age. It was vital to showcase Romy’s desires and agency, proving that female sexuality doesn’t have an expiration date.
Sparking Conversation
**Archyde: “Babygirl” undoubtedly invites conversation. What do you hope audiences take away from the film?**
**Halina Reijn:** I hope it encourages people to question their own biases and preconceived notions about relationships. Ultimately, love and connection can transcend age, and it’s time we recognize that on a wider scale.
**Archyde: What are your thoughts on the ongoing debate surrounding age-gap relationships in society, and do you feel films have a responsibility to contribute to these conversations?**
## Challenging cinematic Norms: A Conversation with Halina Reijn on Age Gap Relationships in “Babygirl”
**By Archys for Archyde**
Halina Reijn’s erotic thriller “Babygirl,” starring Nicole Kidman adn Harris Dickinson, isn’t shying away from the complexities of age-gap romances. In a recent interview with W Magazine, the director boldly addressed the need to normalize diverse relationships onscreen, challenging ingrained cinematic norms and stirring important conversations about desire, power dynamics, and female agency.
**Archyde:** Your film “Babygirl” dives headfirst into the intricacies of an age-gap relationship. Why was it critically important to you to explore this theme through this particular lens?
**Halina Reijn:** We’ve become so accustomed to seeing stories where the male actor is the same age or older then the female lead that it feels unusual when it’s reversed. It’s absurd! We need to normalize these varied pairings and allow women to explore different relationship dynamics without judgment.
**Archyde:** You mentioned escaping the “Male Gaze.” How does “Babygirl” challenge this outlook and present a more authentic portrayal of female desire?
**Halina reijn:** The film aims to portray intimacy in a way that’s both passionate and real. I wanted the sex scenes to feel intense and exciting, but also reflect the complexities and nuances of human connection. We frequently enough behold idealized versions of sexuality in film, which can feel detached from reality.
**Archyde:** Nicole Kidman has spoken about how this film allows for a refreshing portrayal of female sexuality.
**Halina Reijn:** Absolutely. It was important for us to portray Romy’s desire and agency authentically.
Women are often pigeonholed into certain roles as thay age,and their sexuality is often minimized or discarded. “Babygirl” challenges these limitations and embraces the multifaceted nature of female desire.
**Archyde:** What impact do you hope “Babygirl” will have on viewers’ perceptions of age-gap relationships?
**Halina Reijn:** Ultimately, I hope the film sparks meaningful conversations about desire, power dynamics, and the spectrum of human connection. I want “Babygirl” to encourage individuals to question their own preconceptions and embrace more nuanced understandings of love and intimacy.
“babygirl” is more than just an erotic thriller; it’s a potent examination of societal norms and the liberating potential of challenging them. Reijn’s film is sure to ignite discussion and continue the conversation long after the credits roll.
