‘Babygirl’ Director Says Milk Scene Was Inspired by a Real Incident

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As a film enthusiast and someone who appreciates the raw honesty that comes from drawing inspiration from personal experiences, I find Halina Reijn’s directorial approach in “Babygirl” to be absolutely captivating. The milk scene, inspired by a real-life encounter in Belgium, is a testament to the power of subtlety and suggestion in storytelling.

The fact that Reijn managed to turn an innocuous act like drinking a glass of milk into a symbol of animalistic desire and eroticism is truly remarkable. It’s a stark reminder that sometimes, it’s not about what we do or don’t do physically, but rather the thoughts and feelings that such actions evoke in our minds.

What I find even more intriguing is Reijn’s assertion that the lack of physical contact made the encounter more erotic than if they had engaged in sexual activity. It’s a fascinating perspective, one that challenges conventional notions of what constitutes “sexy” or “arousing.”

Lastly, I can’t help but chuckle at the fact that the Belgian actor missed out on a golden opportunity to seal the deal with a simple “good girl.” Oh well, maybe next time!

Among the many impactful scenes in the movie, one stands out as particularly noteworthy: when the character Romy, portrayed by Nicole Kidman, consumes an entire glass of milk sent to her by her younger lover, Samuel (Harris Dickinson), in the recently released and somewhat debated film titled Babygirl.

In a bustling tavern, where any direct communication between the two was impractical, the assertive and influential Samuel found a way to convey a message to Romy and provoke her reactions. As the scene concludes, Samuel walks past Romy on his exit and murmurs “good girl” in her ear, causing Romy to become even more unsettled. This event is said to have occurred in real life, as recounted by writer-director Halina Reijn.

In an interview with Indiewire, Reijn shared the actual conversation that sparked the well-known milk scene in Babygirl: it was based on a real-life interaction.

The milk symbolizes a universal theme we’ve encountered in various films, representing our animalistic instincts. During a performance in Belgium, I had an exceptional moment of self-confidence. My colleagues retired for the night, leaving me alone. I ventured to a bar and ordered a Diet Coke, abstaining from alcohol at the time due to my control issues. A well-known young Belgian actor, whom I’d never met, bought me a glass of milk. I found this act incredibly bold and courageous, so I drank it all, despite feeling slightly queasy due to its cow’s milk content. This was many years ago.

Fantasy and Reality Were Almost Identical, Save for One Little Detail

In reality, unlike how it appears on screen, the Belgian actor, who remains unnamed, didn’t compliment Reijn by calling her a “good girl” after she drank the milk. This was something that the director found disappointing. However, she expressed her wish that he had done so. She clarified, “He just left. I didn’t sleep with him or anything.

Despite the absence of physical touch, Reijn found that this non-sexual interaction was even more alluring and stimulating. This proved beneficial when crafting the script for Babygirl, as it delivers a tantalizing experience through innuendo rather than overtly explicit sexual scenes, according to Reijn’s statement.

…during my writing process, I found myself contemplating that it was one of the most exhilarating experiences I’ve ever had. Interestingly, there wasn’t any physical contact involved. What captivates me about sexual encounters is their psychological aspect. For me, true and startling sex isn’t necessarily about bodies colliding, but rather about the thoughts and feelings it evokes. It’s all about suggestion, imagination. For instance, Romy crawling across a soiled carpet and licking a bit of candy from his hand, or him gently stroking her like an animal – to me, such moments are incredibly seductive. On-screen sex acts, in my view, can be rather dull, which is why we only get brief glimpses of that.

Even though the scenes contained minimal nudity and intimacy, filming these erotic moments proved challenging for Kidman, as she repeatedly requested breaks because she no longer desired physical contact. The actress attributes Reijn for helping her through this by conversing with her during breaks, offering comfort, and creating a safe environment. Kidman believes that such support would have been harder to obtain had a man been directing the film.

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2024-12-31 01:04