Nicole Kidman on the ‘Radical Honesty’ of Babygirl and Her Female Director Pledge

2017 saw Oscar-winning actress Nicole Kidman commit to a significant endeavor: she aimed to collaborate with a female director approximately every 1.5 years. At the TIME Women of the Year Leadership Forum in Los Angeles on Tuesday, it was disclosed that Kidman has not only met this goal but surpassed it substantially. Over the past eight years, Kidman has worked with an impressive 19 female directors across various film and TV projects.

Kidman, named TIME’s Woman of the Year for 2025, expressed that she felt compelled to act because the only means to alter those figures was by immersing myself directly into the situation. Consequently, I continue to be involved, working tirelessly on it.

As a movie critic, I find myself captivated by the insights shared by this actress, who pledged more than just her commitment to the craft. Delving into the motivations behind her artistry, she revealed her intention to transport audiences to another realm, offering them an escape from reality. “There are various layers to me,” she explained, “just as there are to all of us.” Eagerly devouring life and her career, she aims to share her experiences with others. Despite this, her passion lies in creating a profound, passionate love story on the silver screen. The idea of a film exploring the intricacies of marriage has piqued her interest: “I yearn to bring to life a raw, intense film about matrimony and partnership,” she mused. Though the project is still in its infancy, she contemplates penning the script herself or collaborating with a fellow writer.

2024 saw Nicole Kidman feature in several films helmed by female directors, such as “The Perfect Couple” and “Babygirl.” In an interview, she spoke about the latter movie directed by Halina Reijn. This film depicts Kidman’s character, a CEO at an Amazon-like corporation, embarking on an affair with a younger intern. She found it uniquely feminine in its perspective and narrative style, stating, “It was intriguing to see such a portrayal released into the world.” Remarkably, the film also proved profitable, which Kidman believes will open doors for more women to develop their projects.

The actress expressed her belief that a significant factor contributing to the scarcity of women directing films and television shows is the severe criticism they often face. This situation, as Kidman puts it, can be likened to not having opportunities to recover from failures, which she refers to as “climbing the ladder without the luxury of falling upwards.” For Kidman, this point is pivotal. She emphasized that everyone deserves multiple chances, saying “you deserve a second, third, fourth chance.” In her view, developing one’s talent is a gradual process requiring patience, involving layers of growth and steps taken progressively. Kidman was fortunate to receive numerous opportunities, and she still continues to do so today.

Nicole Kidman expressed her gratitude for being involved in the film “Babygirl,” stating that she hadn’t come across such raw and genuine portrayals of women’s sexuality on screen before. She explained that the film’s unapologetic honesty aimed to provoke, stir up emotions, or even arouse viewers, with the ultimate goal of sparking a discussion. Kidman found the project groundbreaking, even daring, which made it all the more intriguing for her.

She encouraged everyone to refrain from critically judging women and their work so heavily, instead fostering growth and possibilities. As a result, she explained, we’re essentially aiding one another. Moreover, by doing this, we are contributing positively to the world since the narratives about us that get shared foster compassion, empathy, and understanding. This is what Kidman stated.

The Women of the Year Leadership Forum was hosted by Amazon, Booking.com, Chase, Deloitte, the American Heart Association, and Toyota.

The Women of the Year Leadership Forum was organized by Amazon, Booking.com, Chase, Deloitte, the American Heart Association, and Toyota.

Or more casually:

Amazon, Booking.com, Chase, Deloitte, the American Heart Association, and Toyota sponsored the Women of the Year Leadership Forum.

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2025-02-26 05:06