If you’ve noticed an increase in Nicole Kidman’s appearances on screen recently, there’s a substantial reason behind it.
Since 2017, the Oscar-winning actress has collaborated with female directors on nearly 19 projects, consistently exceeding her commitment to work with a woman director every 18 months, a goal she set during the height of the #MeToo movement. In her own words, Kidman remarked on her journey, stating that first-time female directors often face overwhelming expectations to achieve perfection in their initial films. To combat this, she believes it’s crucial to actively work on projects led by women.
Reflecting on her 2017 promise, Kidman recounted during a conversation with Deadline that she made her statement at a press conference in Cannes, originally suggesting a timeframe of 18 months. However, she quickly reconsidered, thinking to herself, “18? That’s too long.” This led her to aim for a more frequent collaboration, ideally every six months to a year.
Kidman emphasized the importance of taking decisive action, saying, "You have to roll up your sleeves and do it," which involves being proactive and committed. Publicly stating her intentions not only holds her accountable but also drives her to fulfill her promise.
Most recently, Kidman collaborated with director Halina Reijn on last year’s steamy thriller, Babygirl, and has also appeared in roles alongside Vicky Jensen and Jorge Blanco in Spellbound (2024), Karyn Kusama in Destroyer (2018), and is set to star in Mimi Cave’s upcoming thriller Holland, premiering at SXSW next month.
At the 2017 Cannes Film Festival, where Kidman first made her commitment, she expressed her desire to support female directors consistently. She stated, "I’m in a place, at this stage in my life, where I can support female directors over and over again. It’s a very conscious choice. I’m not gonna go for two or three years without working with a woman. I will seek them out and will continue to do it because that’s part of what I feel is important right now."
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Nicole Kidman Talks Working With 19 Female Directors Since 2017 Goal
