Pamela Anderson engaged in a conversation with emerging talent Mikey Madison about her latest film, in which Madison portrays a Russian sex worker, focusing on how she tackled the role.
The discussion appeared to be a frank exchange, where Anderson and Madison talked about their professional journeys, current projects, and their methods of acting. This dialogue was part of Variety’s ‘Actors on Actors’ series.
Madison’s portrayal of the lead in the film Anora has garnered acclaim, particularly given the film’s intimate nature.
The storyline revolves around Anora/Ani, a young sex worker from Brooklyn who encounters a Russian oligarch and spontaneously marries him, only to face turmoil when news of their union reaches Russia.
Critics and audiences alike have praised the film, earning it a 96 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Reflecting on her initial viewing, Anderson confessed her concerns for the character. Given the film’s intimate scenes, she questioned whether an intimacy coordinator was involved.
She remarked: “When I saw Anora, I just wanted to grab you out of there and hug you. I’ve had friends in that industry as well, and I could really relate to it.
“It was so emotional. Did you have an intimacy coordinator? That’s the big thing these days, right?”
Madison revealed that she deliberately opted not to have one on set. She expressed her trust in both the director and herself to faithfully depict the character.
Madison shared: “For our film, it was a choice that I made; the filmmakers offered me, if I wanted, an intimacy coordinator. Mark Eydelshteyn, who plays Ivan, and I decided it would be best to just keep it small.
“I think we were just able to streamline it, shoot it very quickly and there are less sex scenes, more sex shots, that is what [director] Sean Baker likes to say.
“I think there is a lot of humor involved in them as well, it was a very positive experience for me.
“My character is a sex worker, and I had seen Sean’s films and know his dedication to authenticity. I also wanted to immerse myself in that, so I was ready for it. As an actress, I approached it as a job, so I was very comfortable.”