Emma Stone has defended the graphic sex scenes in Poor Things, commending the ‘honesty’ of the story.
The 34-year-old took on the role of Bella in the acclaimed flick, directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, and landed a Bafta nomination for her role, having already claimed a Golden Globe.
In the bonkers take on Frankenstein, Bella is brought back to life by unorthodox scientist Dr Godwin Baxter (Willem Dafoe), and tackles the world through fresh eyes.
Film bosses were previously forced to re-edit one particularly sexual scene – where she teaches two young boys to have sex – so that it could be classified as an 18 in the UK, and fit the criteria in order to be released.
Emma appeared on BBC Radio 4’s Front Row where she unpacked the importance of the intimate scenes, explaining: ‘So much of this was about being true to Bella’s experience.
‘It is obviously a huge part of her experience and her growth, as it is, I think, for most people in life.
‘I see it as just one aspect of many, to her. Her discovery of food, philosophy or travel and dance. Sex is another aspect.
‘One of the things we talked about from very early on, that I thought was extremely important, was that Bella is completely free and without shame about her body. She doesn’t know to be embarrassed by these things, or to cover things up, or not dive into the full experience when it comes to anything.
‘So, for the camera to sort of shy away from that, or to say, “Okay, well, we’ll just cut all of this out because our society functions in a particular way” … it felt like a lack of being honest about who Bella is and what she feels.
‘I’m not a person that just wants to be naked all the time, but I am someone who wants to honor the character as fully as I possibly can. That’s part of her journey so who am I to say that should be shameful?’
Poor Things was released in US cinemas at the beginning of December, and recently premiered on the big screen in the UK.
The official synopsis reads: ‘Poor Things tells the incredible tale and fantastical evolution of Bella Baxter (Emma Stone), a young woman brought back to life by the brilliant and unorthodox scientist Dr Godwin Baxter (Willem Dafoe).
‘Under Baxter’s protection, Bella is eager to learn. Hungry for the worldliness she is lacking, Bella runs off with Duncan Wedderburn (Mark Ruffalo), a slick and debauched lawyer, on a whirlwind adventure across the continents.
‘Free from the prejudices of her times, Bella grows steadfast in her purpose to stand for equality and liberation.’
Yorgos’ masterpiece sees Bella going above and beyond to learn about the world around her, and her growing sexual curiosity.
Side note: There is a scene with an apple that you probably won’t ever unsee.
The filmmaker couldn’t commend Emma enough for her performance, and not shying away from some of the more explicit scenes.
‘The vulnerability of it, the sensitivity and the humor of it — it’s just so difficult to do. I just don’t know how she did it,’ he said while at the New York Film Festival.
‘It would feel very disingenuous to tell this story about this character who is so free and so open, and then be prude about the sexual aspect of it.
‘It was clear from the beginning, but also from the novel, from the script, from my discussions with Emma, as well, and how we came up with those scenes.
‘She had to be free; there should be no judgment.’
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