As a seasoned actress who has been in the industry for over two decades, I have seen the evolution of filmmaking practices and the increasing importance of safety and consent in all aspects of production, especially when it comes to intimate scenes. While I admire the autonomy of an actor to make their own decisions, I firmly believe that having an intimacy coordinator on set is not just beneficial, but essential for creating a safe and comfortable environment for everyone involved.
In Sean Baker’s Palme d’Or-winning drama “Anora,” Mikey Madison plays a stripper who enters into an expensive relationship with her wealthy Russian client, Vanya (Mark Eidelstein), for a seemingly idyllic week that concludes with a diamond ring on her finger. However, just as swiftly as the marriage commenced, Vanya flees, leaving his associates to chase, silence, and bind Ani. As one might expect, the film is rated R due to its depiction of violence, drug use, and numerous sexual scenes.
But there was no intimacy coordinator on set.
In a chat with Pamela Anderson for EbMaster‘s Actors on Actors, Madison stated, “I made the decision myself,” she shared. She further clarified that Baker and his wife, producer Samantha Quan, gave her an opportunity to collaborate with an intimacy advisor, but she along with Eidelstein opted for a more intimate approach instead, choosing to keep it simple. They managed to speed up the process significantly by streamlining it.
Intimacy coordination is a more recent addition to film set procedures, gaining prominence in the late 2010s when studios started employing professionals skilled in both physical movement and mental health to plan sexually sensitive scenes while providing legal and emotional support for everyone involved. While some production companies enforce the inclusion of an intimacy coordinator, there are currently no industry-wide rules regarding this position, so productions such as “Anora” can choose their own approach.
As a film enthusiast, I’d express it like this: “In our creative approach, Baker and I would discuss various poses and show each other how we envisioned the scenes, as Madison previously shared with EbMaster. Baker further explained that the need for intimacy coordination is situational, depending on the film. If an actor asks for one, absolutely! However, throughout my career, I’ve directed around ten intimate scenes, and I feel confident in handling them. Our top priority is always ensuring our actors feel safe, protected, comfortable, and involved during these sensitive sequences.
In conversation with Anderson, Madison expressed that the “intimate scenes” in “Anora” were a highly enjoyable experience for her. However, her remarks incited intense debate online. Some people criticized Baker for not insisting on an intimacy coordinator when it should have been compulsory, labeling him as unscrupulous. Others speculated that Madison was coerced into avoiding the use of one. On the other hand, several users defended Madison: “She consciously chose the work environment she preferred,” one wrote, while another questioned, “If she felt comfortable, then what’s the issue?
In response to this, Marci Liroff, an intimacy coordinator, explains, “She’s confident and self-reliant, and I understand that. However, it’s important to note that an intimacy coordinator doesn’t solely assist the main actors.” Jessica Steinrock, CEO of Intimacy Coordinators and Directors Inc., agrees: “When presented as ‘Would you like this support or not?’, it seems reasonable that someone might decline because they don’t feel a personal need for extra advocacy. Yet, they may not fully grasp that the role also helps others on set.” (Madison’s representative declined to comment on this matter.)
Based on Liroff’s perspective, who has worked on projects such as “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” and “Dexter: Original Sin,” there is a sense of unease among professionals regarding the fact that actors were given authority over intimate scenes in the production named “Anora.
In simpler terms, Liroff expresses high regard for Sean Baker as a director, but points out that it appears he fails to grasp the power dynamics present on set. Liroff explains that it’s tough for an actor to refuse someone who holds hiring and firing authority, because they don’t want to appear demanding or spend more money – especially since they are new additions to the crew and budget. (Representatives for Baker could not be reached for comment by EbMaster. Neon, the film’s distributor, chose not to comment.)
Additionally, other performers may also decline participating if the handling of intimate scenes isn’t satisfactory to them as well.
Lauren Kiele DeLeon, an intimacy coordinator who has worked on ‘Cabaret’ on Broadway and the upcoming Sundance film ‘Bunnylovr’, notes that we’re primarily hearing from the main actors, director, and producer. However, it’s important to remember that these individuals with significant power on set can’t truly represent how every supporting actor felt during filming.
As a passionate cinephile, I must admit that the captivating universe of “Anora” is brimming with background performers entrusted with delicate scenes. In the movie’s initial sequences, we find ourselves in a strip club where Ani works; before any intimacy between Ani and Vanya occurs, numerous unnamed women are shown performing intimate dances for unnamed patrons. It’s essential to note that these performers might have had discussions about costumes and physical contact with an intimacy coordinator if one were available, as per Liroff’s statements. Interestingly, she has experience managing ensembles of up to 30 dancers along with their male customers on the Starz series “Hightown.
Beyond this, an intimacy coordinator plays a crucial role in ensuring the comfort and safety of all crew members during scenes with nudity. A significant aspect of their training includes understanding trauma first aid, as they are prepared to respond if a performer or crew member experiences distress or a panic attack due to a particular scene.
DeLeon notes that Madison and Eidelstein seemed at ease with their director, which is wonderful, but she points out that we often overlook other individuals when our attention is centered on those with the most influence. Historically, there have been cameramen who were compelled to stay put, silently documenting assaults, and felt unable to speak up, she explains. She emphasizes that our industry is filled with people conditioned to simply agree without questioning anything further. That’s a challenging pattern to break.
In a chat with Anderson, I shared my reasoning behind foregoing an intimacy coordinator during our collaboration. “Given that my character is a sex worker,” I explained, “and having witnessed Sean’s commitment to authenticity through films like ‘Tangerine’ and ‘Red Rocket’, both centered around principal characters who are sex workers, I felt compelled to immerse myself deeply in this world, thus preparing for the role.
Regarding her character, Madison explained: “She relies heavily on her physical appearance. She uses nudity as if it’s a costume. She portrays herself in a very sensual manner because that’s how she earns a living. It’s simply what she needs to do. As an actress, I approached it as just another job.
However, it’s important to note that there might be confusion when the portrayal of explicit content on-screen is linked to the working conditions and behavior off-set, as DeLeon points out.
She emphasizes the importance of de-stigmatizing sex work by presenting authentic stories. It’s great that they had sex work consultants for accuracy, but it doesn’t automatically mean they also had an intimacy coordinator. While a consultant primarily focuses on the script, an intimacy coordinator is trained to arrange bodies in a way that looks realistic yet doesn’t feel real. Good intimacy coordinators collaborate well with others. In Liroff’s words, having a sex work consultant without an intimacy coordinator is like discussing stunts with someone who wrote a book about them but not hiring a stunt coordinator.
Andrea Werhun, one of the consultants in question on “Anora,” doesn’t disagree.
After reading “Modern Whore,” a memoir penned by Werhun detailing her experiences as a sex worker, Baker offered her a job at “Anora.” Currently, Werhun is involved in the post-production phase of a movie based on the book, which Nicole Bazuin directs. In this film, Werhun portrays herself and Baker assumes the role of an executive producer.
In the production of “Modern Whore,” our intimacy supervisor, Anisa Tejpar, was almost always there. As Werhun stated, the creation of this film would not have been feasible without the help of an intimacy coordinator who ensured that everyone’s consent was respected throughout the entire process.
She considers the intimacy coordinator crucial for ensuring both performers and viewers feel at ease about the film’s content: “I believe it’s essential that the audience is confident that every scene has been enacted with full consent. Everyone understands what to expect. There are no surprises or improvisations. The set is a safe and comfortable environment for everyone.
Werhun expresses her viewpoint that intimacy coordinators should become a regular feature in films depicting any form of intimacy. During the production of ‘Modern Whore’, she noticed Tejpar’s attention to detail, such as nudity clauses in performers’ contracts. She believes that such consideration should not only be applied for female actors but also for male ones. This level of care, in her opinion, is crucial for ensuring sensitivity and professionalism in all films.
She acknowledges Madison’s perspective, explaining, “She chose not to have one, and I believe it’s crucial to honor that choice. I fully support her, and I feel it’s inappropriate to judge or shame her.
As a fan, I’m convinced that her refusal stemmed from her trust in Sean, Sean Baker, and the entire production team. While I believe it could have added depth to the film if an intimacy coordinator was involved, Sean Baker may hold a different perspective on this matter.
Jazz Tangcay contributed to this report.
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2024-12-20 01:18