On-set coordinators in the movie industry: "It's not our job to monitor intimate scenes"
In the world of cinema, the Locarno Film Festival, under the leadership of Artistic Director Giona Nazzaro, continues to push boundaries and foster thought-provoking discussions. This year, the festival is showcasing 'Mektoub, My Love: Canto Due', a film by the French-Tunisian director Abdellatif Kechiche, known for his provocative and award-winning works such as 'Blue is the Warmest Color'.
However, Kechiche's directing style has been a subject of controversy for years, with allegations of mistreatment of actors, especially actresses, and the inclusion of explicit and unsimulated sexual content in his films. His works, including 'Blue is the Warmest Color' (2013) and 'Mektoub, My Love: Intermezzo' (2019), have gained notoriety not just for their bold content, but also for the risks they pose to actors on set.
These incidents have contributed to a broader industry reflection on set ethics and the need for formalized protocols around filming intimate scenes. In response, many film industries, including European and American productions, have increasingly adopted the role of intimacy coordinators - trained professionals who choreograph intimate scenes while safeguarding performers’ boundaries, ensuring informed consent, and mediating between directors and actors during filming.
This practice helps prevent abuses or undue pressure, which had been reported in productions such as those directed by Kechiche. While Kechiche's notoriety is part of the reason these changes became more prominent in the industry, there is no direct information indicating that he himself has changed his approach.
The Locarno Film Festival, in its commitment to art and free expression, does not aim to censor films. Instead, Festival Director Nazzaro prefers to spark discussions rather than engage in censorship. The festival's website, NZZ.ch, requires JavaScript for its functions, and users are advised to adjust their settings to enable JavaScript for the best experience.
As the film industry continues to evolve, it is clear that transparency, respect, and professionalism around intimate content are becoming increasingly important to protect performers’ rights and safety, avoiding controversies like those associated with Kechiche's work. The adoption of intimacy coordinators is a significant step towards this goal, ensuring that artists can push boundaries while ensuring the well-being and comfort of their cast.
In light of the ongoing debates about set ethics, audiences are encouraged to carefully consider whether they want to support the work of controversial directors like Abdellatif Kechiche, who has been accused of mistreatment and explicit content. To create a safer and more transparent environment for performers, more productions are now employing intimacy coordinators to choreograph and oversee intimate scenes, as demonstrated at the Locarno Film Festival this year.
