“Get It Off! Get It Off Me!”: Nicole Kidman opens up about their most unforgettable filming experience
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Nicole Kidman recently opened up about her unsettling experience filming Lars von Trier’s 2003 experimental film Dogville during an interview with British GQ. The Australian actress, now 57, revealed the challenges of working on the unconventional project, including a scene where she was required to wear a heavy dog collar.
“There’s the moment when they put this dog collar on me that was sort of a metal collar,” Kidman explained. “And then we were filming and, I mean, it was so heavy and hard to get off.”
Reenacting the moment, she mimed choking and added, “I remember it being on and going, and Lars thought I was acting. And actually, I’m like…” She trailed off before recalling her desperate plea once the director yelled cut: “I’m like, ‘Get it off! Get it off me!’ I’ll never forget that.”
Reflecting on the experience, Kidman described von Trier as both intimidating and fascinating. “Lars was Lars, and I was, like, terrified of him and drawn to him. It was bizarre,” she said. Despite her initial apprehension, she admitted being captivated by the director’s unconventional approach.
Kidman shared how von Trier’s unique vision drew her to the project, even as those around her expressed skepticism. “We talked on the phone. I read Dogville; everyone was like, ‘What the hell?’ And he sent me kind of these photos of what it was gonna look like, and it was just the tape on the floor. I was like, ‘I love this. Perfect.’”
The filming process, however, was as unconventional as the project itself. The cast, including Kidman, stayed in a guest house with von Trier, making the experience both “dangerous and weird.”
Despite the challenges, Kidman’s performance in Dogville remains one of her most critically acclaimed roles, showcasing her willingness to take risks with experimental cinema. As for her upcoming projects, Kidman’s latest film, Babygirl, is set to release in theaters on December 25th, promising another captivating performance from the Oscar-winning actress.
