Nicole Kidman brings Baby Girl to the Venice Film Festival

On August 30, 2024, in Venice, Italy, the erotic thriller "Baby Girl" directed by Halina Reijn had its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival. The film's lead actress Nicole Kidman arrived at the festival site by water taxi, wearing a black Bottega Veneta midi dress. After posing for photographers under the scorching sun, she went to the press conference.

"Baby Girl" tells the story of a female CEO's affair with a young male intern and involves themes such as desire, secrets, marriage, truth, power, and consent. Antonio Banderas plays Kidman's character's husband, and Harris Dickinson plays the intern. Kidman said she hopes this is a liberating story and is unique as it is told from a female perspective. Twenty-five years ago, Kidman brought the bold film "Eyes Wide Shut" to Venice. This time, she is still a bit anxious about "Baby Girl" and said she is nervous at the press conference.

Reijn, who previously directed the horror film "Bodies Bodies Bodies," was inspired by erotic thrillers from the 1980s and 1990s to create "Baby Girl." She is interested in exploring female desire and women in existential crises. She chose Banderas because he can embody the handsomeness and masculinity of Kidman's character's dissatisfied husband. Reijn said she doesn't want to "punish" any character, just let them exist.

Kidman and Dickinson got to know each other during rehearsals in New York. During filming, they used an intimacy coordinator to help film passionate scenes. "Baby Girl" also examines generational differences by contrasting Kidman and Banderas with Dickinson and Sophie Wilde. Dickinson likes that the story and script handle the confusion in the hearts of young people today in a specific way.

"Baby Girl" competes for the festival's top award along with films such as "Maria," "The Room Next Door," "Queer," and "Joker: Folie à Deux." The winners will be announced on September 7.