Keira Knightley won’t take her clothes off on film for a male director anymore

London Film Festival 2019 -Official Secrets European Premiere at Embankment Gardens, London

Perhaps Keira Knightley was always a feminist, but she’s definitely become more vocal in her feminism in recent years. I would say that Keira has been kicking ass and taking names for about five years. She stands up for herself, for women in her industry and for working women. Keira is now mom to two little girls, Edie and Delilah. She gave birth to Delilah in 2019 and she hasn’t worked much since, and I assume that’s by choice. She’s in the privileged position of working when she wants to and dictating her own terms. She’s talked about the issue of nudity in films before, and now she’s saying that she doesn’t think she’ll ever drop trou for a male director ever again:

According to Keira Knightley, she doesn’t “have an absolute ban” on shooting nude scenes, but she’s not comfortable doing so with male directors. During an appearance on the Chanel Connects podcast, the actress said “It’s partly vanity and also it’s the male gaze” for why she doesn’t want to shoot such scenes under the direction of a man.

Knightley talked to “The Farewell” filmmaker Lulu Wang and writer-producer Diane Solway about Knightley’s decision to add a no nudity clause to her contract since she became a mother.

“If I was making a story that was about that journey of motherhood and body acceptance, I feel like, I’m sorry, but that would have to be with a female filmmaker,” she said. The “Misbehaviour” star added “I don’t want it to be those horrible sex scenes where you’re all greased up and everybody is grunting. I’m not interested in doing that.”

“Saying that, there’s times where I go, ‘Yeah, I completely see where this sex would be really good in this film and you basically just need somebody to look hot,'” Knightley said. “So therefore you can use somebody else because I’m too vain and the body has had two children now and I’d just rather not stand in front of a group of men naked.”

[From CNN]

Even though Keira has gotten her kit off in a number of films, it’s worth pointing out that in most dramas, action films and period pieces, there’s been a movement away from nudity for many years. It’s because of the rating system here in America for the most part – if there’s any nudity, the film will likely get an R-rating, but you can show all kinds of violence and still get a PG rating. Anyway, if I had Keira’s name and money, I wouldn’t want to get naked on camera either. Why would you, when you could get approval over your own ass double?

Keira Knightley surprises with pregnancy reveal - baby number two is on the way!

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Backgrid.

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23 Responses to “Keira Knightley won’t take her clothes off on film for a male director anymore”

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  1. Mignionette says:

    Good for her.

    This may seem like hypocrisy after the fact, but I think it just goes to show how little bargaining power young new actresses have.

    Director’s should not be able to demand nudity, especially when the role does not necessitate it.

    • sa says:

      I agree that new actresses lack bargaining power, but I also think that our views on things change and evolve as we grow and gain more experience.

      Whether this is a result of her now having power or a result of her evolution, either way, good for her for knowing her limits and not letting others push her past them.

    • Elizabeth says:

      Yes, it’s reminding me of how Emilia Clarke discussed how nervous and uncomfortable she was with GOT sex scenes when she was a young actress, and felt she couldn’t say anything. Sets need to be safe places for women.

      • Shoop says:

        Having an Intimacy co ordinator on set is rapidly becoming the new norm. Big step forward for taking care of the cast, especially young people.

  2. Darla says:

    I hate nude scenes and really sex scenes as well. I find them exploitative and I don’t need to see it. Marvel gets a lot of flack for not having sex, but I’m good with it.

  3. Dollycoa says:

    I agree with both of you. If, as a young actress trying to make it in the industry she felt she had to take her clothes of, then that shouldnt dictate how she feels forevermore. As she said, she has given birth to two daughters now, she is in her 30’s and she is in a position where she can say no. That should be enough. Good for her. Unfortunately there will be plenty of actresses who will take their clothes off, whether or not the piece needs it or whether its just purely for titllation of the male director.

  4. mynameispearl says:

    Hopefully the poor faceless body doubles don’t get exploited, potentially just pushing the problem onto someone else. They may of course just be glad of the work, in which case happy days lol

    • MyOpinion says:

      @ mynameispearl, I know this is off topic, but have you noticed how little male nudity there is compared to women? How is it that seeing the entire front of a female nude body is acceptable but not a males? Though I am glad that there are changes being made in the industry but I think it’s time to start writing off nudity for women especially given how many years women have been expected whereas men have not.

  5. Kit says:

    Not sure why she spoke out publicly about this in the manner that she did. I remember seeing the headline and immediately thinking: “Good. The expectations and pressure that male producers and directors to film gratuitous nudity is a lot and, sometimes, abusive.”

    Then I read further, and she basically said it all has to do with her own self-consciousness about her body. BUT ONLY IN FRONT OF MEN. Meaning–she is strictly attracted to men and thus such wants them to find her appealing.

    Sorry, but I cannot agree that was a brilliantly stated PR piece promoting feminism.

    • ME says:

      Why only in front of men though? Women can be pervy too. Women can exploit too. Women can be attracted to other women too. Why not just say she won’t do nude scenes at all anymore?

      • molly says:

        What? SHE said SHE wasn’t doing scenes with men directors because of HER experience and comfort levels. She didn’t say men should never direct such scenes.

      • ME says:

        @ molly

        Huh? I don’t think you understood what I said so nevermind…

      • mynameispearl says:

        Im fine changing in the communal gym changing room with women, but wouldnt want to change in the communal mens one. I dont think all men are perverts, and I understand some women can be, but I still wouldnt want to be in the mens one! I usually request a woman doctor for my smear test too, it’s not that I dont like men doctors, but I personally prefer women for intimate things. If Keira’s preference is for women directors to direct naked scenes going forward that seems just like that should be respected.

    • Meg says:

      She said she wasnt doing it anymore foe the male gaze but a female director she may conaider. Meaning creating work foe the stereotypical male eye nor for women, that a female director may have more than just the male gaze in mind when working

  6. candy says:

    Increasingly, I find myself moving away from male related influence in my life as much as I can. I try not to see male doctors, or therapists, for example. I realize that there are some good ones, but generally speaking it’s not worth my time.

    • Lucy says:

      Studies show everyone, not just women, receive better quality of care from female physicians/medical personnel. I’ve moved away from having male physicians (had nurse midwives for both of my births) and have started to prioritize women authors in my reading. The reading one is more because I’m just tired of hearing men’s perspective on every single issue. Men’s perspectives have been prioritized in so much of what gets published and I’m just over it.

      • i can't even says:

        I remember being in like 7th grade and wondering why ALL the books we read were about boys. And the one book about a teenage girl that year got so much pushback. I think that was my introduction to feminism… I wondered even then why’s the male perspective the default?

    • sa says:

      When I was a teenager my mom told me that I should try to go to women doctors because male doctors are more likely to dismiss my complaints as being in my own head or my being an irrational woman and that woman doctors, in her experience, worked harder to find the problems if they aren’t the obvious first thing. Now, whenever new studies come out about how male doctors are dismissive of their female patients it reminds me that so many gender related studies are just confirmations (in a form more acceptable to men than a woman’s word) of what women always knew from experience.

    • candy says:

      Yes, going through fertility treatments with a male physician was traumatic and horrible for me, I will not see a male specialist ever again for these types of issues. He made me feel like a failed broodmare and had no real understanding of female pelvic pain, and even less empathy.

    • MyOpinion says:

      @ candy, I think that’s an excellent idea!! I for one have removed male doctors for my GYN needs as male doctors don’t understand when you speak to them in terms of period cramps. How could they possibly relate when they don’t experience it. Also, male doctors have a greater tendency not to listen or downplay your concerns. I find it disgusting that they have chosen that profession if they refuse to listen or believe you. Stick with female entirely if you can.

    • Snazzy says:

      I do that too! My GP is a woman, and so was my last therapist. But not just in health, also in the arts. In 2021, I am trying to read more female writers too, and watch (or re-watch) more women led movies.

  7. molly says:

    This reminds me of Bridgerton using an “intimacy coordinator” for the sex scenes. Lizzy Talbot’s role was brought up in several interviews, so it was clearly a message point and a point of pride for the show. Not sure if it’s a response to the GoT/Emilia Clarke stories or if it’s just one of the benefits of women decision makers in general, but I love to see it. I hope the industry keeps getting better for young actresses.

  8. lucy2 says:

    Good for her. There’s no reason for any actor to feel that uncomfortable doing their job, and she certainly has the right to set her own standards.