Keira Knightley known for her roles in iconic films such as "Pirates of the Caribbean" and "Pride and Prejudice," has courageously voiced her reservations about participating in explicit scenes, particularly when they are directed by men.
A mother of two girls, Knightley openly expressed her discomfort with erotic sequences in the film industry. She candidly addresses the concept of the "male gaze" and her own sense of self-image as pivotal factors that have led her to draw certain boundaries regarding what she is willing to do in front of the camera. In doing so, she boldly asserts her position as a woman determined to challenge the norms within the film industry.
While she refrains from imposing an absolute ban, Knightley openly admits that she does harbor specific reservations, particularly when it comes to scenes that objectify women. She unapologetically stated, "I don't want to do those horrible scenes where you're all greased up and everyone's grunting."
These remarks were made during a conversation with writer and producer Diane Solway and Chinese filmmaker Lulu Wang on Chanel Connects, a podcast hosted by the renowned French fashion house. The episode forms part of a series in which various voices from the realms of cinema, art, architecture, dance, and music converge to engage in dialogues on the evolving challenges within their respective professions. Knightley, as she has done on prior occasions, seized the opportunity to shed light on the experiences of women in the film industry.
Over the years, the actress has proactively redefined the terms of her contracts, setting limitations on the types of scenes she is willing to engage in, particularly after becoming a mother for the first time in 2015.
It's not uncommon for celebrities, Knightley included, to employ body doubles when certain scenes prove uncomfortable or do not align with their personal boundaries. The actress openly acknowledged this practice during the podcast, stating, "There are moments where I'm like, 'Yeah, I totally see where this scene would be really good in this movie, and basically you just need someone who looks hot, and therefore you can use someone else.'" She further revealed that due to changes in her body, she has opted not to disrobe on a film set.
She further disclosed her willingness to engage in projects that center around motherhood and the transformative effects it has on a woman's body. However, she emphasized that such endeavors would ideally involve a female director, highlighting the importance of perspectives from women in the creative process.
Knightley's perspective underscores the film industry's historical propagation of messages that predominantly favor men. She eloquently states, "We all empathize with them because culturally, their experiences have been extensively explored. We are familiar with many facets of the male experience. But men cannot say, 'Yes, I understand what you're talking about because I have this wealth of art, film, theater, and television from your point of view.'"
This is not the first time Keira Knightley has candidly addressed the experiences of women. In 2018, she penned an essay featured in the book "Feminists Don't Wear Pink and Other Lies," edited by Scarlett Curtis. In it, she fearlessly discussed the challenges of childbirth and postpartum experiences, shedding light on the discrepancy between reality and the image of instant post-birth perfection perpetuated by some celebrities on social media. Her unapologetic stance continues to pave the way for important discussions surrounding women's experiences and body autonomy in the film industry and beyond.
