Kristina Arjona says that the 21-year-old actress was involved in discussions to make sure 'she was comfortable' during the filming of the NSFW scene with the 'Sherlock' actor.
- Feb 9, 2024
AceShowbiz - Jenna Ortega and Martin Freeman's sex scene in "Miller's Girl" was thoughtfully crafted to make sure the actress was "comfortable" despite her "large age gap" with her co-star. Intimacy coordinator Kristina Arjona has spoken up on the filming of the X-rated scene in the movie following backlash from some viewers.
Speaking to Daily Mail, Arjona assures that the 21-year-old actress was involved in decisions about the curation of the racy moment to make sure there were no "boundaries surpassed." She explains, "There was many, many people throughout this process, engaging with [Jenna] to make sure that it was consistent with what she was comfortable with, and she was very determined and very sure of what she wanted to do."
Arjona claims, "Part of my job too is supporting her decisions. I adapt to whatever is the comfort level of my actors, especially on a production like this where there is a large age gap between the actors." She goes on stressing, "I'm hyper aware of both of my talent and making sure that we're consistently checking in and that at no point are any of their boundaries being surpassed. And again, making sure - especially with someone who's significantly younger - that they are giving continuous consent."
Arjona adds that she discussed the "level of nudity" with both stars, as well as which "simulated sex scenes" were required, before talking them through modesty garments and the "additional barriers" they could use to ensure an "appropriate distance" was maintained.
This information was also given to the actors in a written format 48 hours before the scenes were filmed, but Arjona says that they "also have the option on the day to change their mind if they don't want to do any of the elements that we've discussed."
Besides the cast and crew who were involved in the discussions, test audiences were used to see their reactions to the racy scenes. "For this film, in particular, because of the sensitivity of the content, they had some different variations of how they wanted to shoot these scenes so that audiences could watch them at test screenings to see what was too much," she divulges.
Arjona defends the sexual scene in the black comedy drama after people slammed it as "gross." One simply wrote, "I'm uncomfortable." Another penned, "I think I am finally done watching these age gap movies. They are all gross and I am tired of it. No amount of Jenna Ortega or Martin Freeman could save this one for me [sic]."
"That Jenna Ortega Martin Freeman clip might be the worst thing I've ever seen," one other viewer weighed in. Someone pointed out, "When Martin Freeman was in his 40's Jenna Ortega was 10 years old."
However, some people have clapped back at those who were not ready to see the intimate scene in the movie. "An erotic thriller starring Martin Freeman and Jenna Ortega lol like what were people expecting," one person responded to the criticisms.
"Apparently people are freaking out because Jenna Ortega kisses a girl in once scene, and assumes the doggy style position with Martin Freeman in another. Like guys, it's a movie, she's acting. Chill," another penned.
"People need to get over the fact that Jenna is not Wednesday Adams and that she is a grown woman who is exploring serious roles as a talented actress," someone argued. One other claimed, "The fact that this stirred the pot and is being labelled as gross is incredibly misogynistic."
In "Miller's Girl", Ortega plays 18-year-old Cairo Sweet who takes the class of high school creative writing teacher Jonathan Miller, portrayed by Freeman. The two enter into a complicated relationship as Miller, a failed writer, tries to help her succeed where he couldn't. It was released in the U.S. on January 26.
