Uma Thurman had message to public over graphic movie with ‘severe’ unsimulated sex scenes
Uma Thurman spoke out about one of her most controversial films in the past, sending a clear message to those who wanted to see it.
The Kill Bill star was one of many stars in the 2013 film Nymphomaniac, directed by Danish filmmaker Lars von Trier.
Big names such as Stellan Skarsgård, Willem Dafoe, Mia Goth and Shia LaBeouf star in the 18-rated title, which is now remembered for its 'severe' explicit scenes.
With the success of 50 Shades of Grey in the past and more recently, Wuthering Heights, it's clear that sex always sells and von Trier's film leans into this.
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Nymphomaniac features unsimulated sex scenes and while the A-Listers may not have been the ones engaging in the act, it's clear to see that the steamy scenes were full-on.
The film follows the erotic history of a woman from birth to the age of 18, while a second volume follows the years after that with even more scenes involving the act.
Von Trier is known not to shy away from being provocative and for leaving it all on camera, with Nymphomaniac being the perfect example of this.
While LaBeouf admitted he was ‘terrified’ of shooting due to them 'doing [the sex] for real', Thurman also spoke out about her involvement in the project, where she plays Mrs H.
Speaking to Film at Lincoln Center in 2014, the actress was asked about the director, who she described as a 'very fragile, sensitive human being who is also profoundly intelligent'.
But for those who may be second guessing themselves, she advised them not to see the film, explaining: “Somebody asked me if I thought the far-right conservatives would be outraged by this movie…
“I just said, 'If there was an outrage that Bert and Ernie were living together on Sesame Street, then this should really be a no-go. Anyone upset about Ernie and Bert living together as roommates - just don't go see this movie.”
She further claimed: “I think this film will be very long-lasting. I think there will be many papers written about it and it will be discussed for a long time to come.”
Thurman said of her scenes in the movie: “It’s really out of love for him and support for him as an artist that I would be like, ‘Oh, God, okay, we’ll try it.’ He liked to tease that I was obviously illiterate because I would have to be crazy to be in the movie. Fair enough.”
The American actress said that the work was 'savage', explaining what to expect from the film: “It’s brutal. It’s about brutality; sad, twisted humour that’s also tragic and horrifying.”
LaBoeuf had previously said that 'anything illegal will be shot in blurred images, but other than that, everything is happening', noting that there was even a disclaimer at the top of scripts to warn of the reality of the sex scenes.
Despite needing to shoot the steamy scenes, the actors were edited out of the actual intercourse, with body doubles used instead to digitally impose over the celebs.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Movie producer Louise Vesth explained: “We shot the actors pretending to have sex and then had the body doubles, who really did have sex, and in post (production) we will digital-impose the two.
“So above the waist it will be the star and then below the waist it will be the doubles.”
Topics: TV and Film, Sex and Relationships, Celebrity
Joshua Nair