Yahoo Lifestyle Nicole Kidman’s Sexy, Sweaty ‘Babygirl’ Makes Venice Climax to 6.5-Minute Standing Ovation
Nicole Kidman and Harris Dickinson brought sexy back to Venice Friday night at the premiere of Halina Reijn’s kinky, sex-filled “Babygirl.”
In the A24 movie, Kidman plays a high-powered CEO who starts a secret affair with her new intern (Dickinson).
More from Variety
Venice Immersive Offers Space for VR and Other New Media Artists to Grow and Expand on Technology
How Footage From Jerry Lewis' Dark Comedy About a Concentration Camp Came to Be Seen for First Time
'Babygirl' Review: Nicole Kidman Is Fearless in an Erotic Office Drama About the Age of Control
While not a conventional art house movie, “Babygirl” stimulated the Venice audience. As the end credits rolled on the film at the Sala Grande Theatre, the crowd erupted into a 6.5-minute standing ovation.
As the audience cheered, Kidman hugged Reijn and beamed and blushed at all the attention.
It was a sweaty night in Italy — in more ways than one. “It’s so hot,” Kidman said as she waved to fans before entering the theater earlier, on a day when temperatures crept up to 90 degrees. But “Babygirl” seemed to crank up the heat even more as the movie got underway. Kidman’s character Romy pushes the envelope in a game of sexual domination with Dickinson’s Samuel.
After the movie ended, Dickinson was spotted in the men’s bathroom. “I almost didn’t sit through,” he told a friend, before adding that he enjoyed the film.
“Babygirl” — which premiered in competition at Venice — also stars Antonio Banderas, Banderas, Sophie Wilde and Esther McGregor.
Kidman has a long history with Venice. At the 2004 edition, she starred in Jonathan Glazer’s unsettling psychological drama “Birth,” which sparked controversy — and boos at the festival — over a scene in which she shared a bath with her 10-year-old co-star Cameron Bright. At the Venice press conference she address the controversy by saying, “It wasn’t that I wanted to make a film where I kiss a 10-year-old boy. I wanted to make a film where you understand love.”
After Venice, “Babygirl” is due to have its North American premiere at the Toronto Film Festival before opening in theaters in December.
Best of Variety
Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
