News culture This scene from Jenna Ortega’s upcoming film is so controversial that Hollywood is drastically changing the rules of intimacy
In the United States, the actors’ union is taking new action regarding a fledgling profession.
A few months ago, many Internet users expressed their discomfort when they saw on Wednesday the actress Jenna Ortega, a very young revelation from the series. Sex scenes with Sherlock star Martin Freeman (31 years his senior) for the film “Miller’s Girl”, which will be released in cinemas this year. Ortega plays the role of an 18-year-old student, while Freeman plays the role of her teacher, Jonathan Miller, in his 50s. And if the age difference made some viewers shudder with embarrassment, on-set intimacy coordinator Kristina Arjona recently explained that Ortega was “sure about what she wanted to do for her sex scene” and that she was fully supported throughout the process. In the Daily Mail columns she explains exclusively:
My tasks also include supporting his decisions. I adapt to the comfort level of my actors, especially in a production like this where there is a big age difference between the actors.
I pay a lot of attention to both of my talents and ensure that we constantly monitor them and never exceed their limits. And again, especially with someone much younger, I make sure that they give consent at all times.
Miller’s Girl (2024)
Although these statements are intended to be reassuring, they have, above all, encouraged the American Guild (the premier association of motion picture actors) to strengthen its standards and protocols for the use of intimacy coordinators, and particularly with regard to confidentiality.
The guild tightens the rules
What exactly is the Intimacy Coordinator? “The coordinator, and usually the coordinator of intimacy, works in the shadow of series, films or documentaries and ensures compliance with the plot within the framework of the consent of the actors.“, explains the CNC about a relatively new profession that is still subject to some developments. This week the profession is in the news as the American Guild has decided to tighten its protocol on filming. Those who fail to meet required standards may also be removed from the SAG-AFTRA registry following an investigation by the guild.
“Intimacy coordinators are an important resource on all film sets to ensure the protection of our members working in intimate scenes” a spokesperson for SAG-AFTRA told Deadline, adding that “theIntimacy coordinators must maintain the confidentiality of an actor’s work and experience when performing highly sensitive scenes unless they have the actor’s permission to share this information publicly” And “Publicly disclosing details of an actor’s stage work or confidences entrusted to the Intimacy Coordinator without the actor’s consent is unacceptable“. According to Deadline’s sources, Kristina Ariona signed a non-disclosure agreement with Lionsgate as well as a non-disclosure agreement, but still decided to tell the tabloid about star Jenna Ortega’s involvement in the preparation of the film’s sex scenes. A freedom which tightened after this of the protocol is unlikely to be repeated.
