I want to examine what it means to be human'

Nicole Kidman opens up on her latest award-winning film role and praises the director for her guidance through its controversial storyline

- ADAM TANSWEL

Nicole Kidman added to her accolades at the Venice Film Festival this year, winning Best Actress for her role in Babygirl. She plays Romy, a married tech CEO in an illicit relationship with a much younger intern. While she describes it as a “delicate and intimate” experience, particularly as it was directed by a woman, she admits that even after 40 years in Hollywood, she’s not immune to feeling vulnerable and frightened.

However, the 57-year-old Australian’s well-deserved win was tinged with great sadness, as her beloved mum Janelle passed away shortly after Nicole landed in Italy to receive the award. In a carefully crafted and deeply emotional statement written by Nicole and read by Babygirl director Halina Reijn, the actress dedicated her win to her late mother.

“I’m in shock, and I have to go to my family. But this award is for her. She shaped me, she guided me and she made me,” she said. “The collision of life and art is heartbreaking. And my heart is broken.”

Before she departed the city, Nicole spoke to OK! and other media at a festival press conference about her new film…

Hi Nicole, how would you describe Babygirl and its complicated themes?

This film is about sex. It’s about desire. It’s about your inner thoughts. It’s about secrets. It’s about marriage. It’s about truth, power and consent. This is one woman’s story and this is, I hope, a very liberating story. It’s told by a woman, through her gaze and her script. [Writer/director] Halina [Reijn] wrote it, she directs it, and that’s what made it so unique. Suddenly I was going to be in the hands of a woman with this material. It was very, very deep to be able to share those things. And very freeing.