December 18th 2024.
As fans eagerly await the release of Mikey Madison's latest movie, Anora, there has been some controversy surrounding her role as the lead character, Ani. The 25-year-old actor received praise for her portrayal of a Brooklyn sex worker who finds herself in a whirlwind romance with the son of a Russian oligarch. However, some fans were quick to criticize Mikey for not using an intimacy coordinator on set.
In a recent interview with Pamela Anderson for Variety's Actors on Actors series, Mikey opened up about the experience of filming intimate scenes for Anora. When asked about the use of an intimacy coordinator, Mikey revealed that the cast and crew had decided not to have one on set. This decision caused a stir among fans, as intimacy coordinators have become an industry standard in the wake of the #MeToo movement.
For those unfamiliar with the role of an intimacy coordinator, they are responsible for ensuring the safety and comfort of cast and crew during intimate scenes. This includes choreographing and filming sex scenes to ensure that boundaries are respected and everyone feels comfortable on set. The use of intimacy coordinators has become so important that in 2020, the union Sag-Aftra released industry standards and protocols for their use.
Despite the backlash, Mikey stands by her decision not to have an intimacy coordinator on set. She explained that it was a choice she made, and that the filmmakers had offered her the option. Mikey also added that she and her co-star, Mark, felt comfortable working with the director and his wife, who was also a producer on the film. She described the experience as positive and even joked that the director, Sean Baker, referred to the scenes as "sex shots" rather than sex scenes.
However, this decision did not sit well with some fans, who believe that intimacy coordinators should be a non-negotiable on set. They expressed their disappointment and concern, with some pointing out that Mikey may have felt pressure to agree to not using a coordinator in fear of being seen as difficult or demanding.
But not all fans were quick to judge Mikey's decision. Some came to her defense, emphasizing that she was simply sharing her own experience and should not be targeted for it. They also pointed out that she was not responsible for Sean's decision not to hire an intimacy coordinator.
Mikey's latest comments come after she and Sean previously discussed their decision not to use an intimacy coordinator in an interview with Metro. Mikey revealed that she, along with the director and his wife, would discuss the scenes and then they would demonstrate what they wanted them to look like. She also shared that the environment on set was comfortable and that she felt at ease shooting the intimate scenes.
Despite the controversy, Anora has already received critical acclaim, including the coveted Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival and five Golden Globe nominations. The movie, and Mikey's performance, are also generating buzz for the upcoming Oscars. However, Sean made it clear that he did not create the film for mass consumption and that he would never compromise his vision for the sake of appealing to a wider audience.
As the release date for Anora approaches, fans continue to share their opinions on Mikey's decision not to use an intimacy coordinator. It remains to be seen how the movie will be received by audiences, but one thing is for sure, Mikey has certainly sparked a conversation about the importance of ensuring the safety and comfort of all involved in filming intimate scenes.
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