Podcast Summary: All Of It with Alison Stewart – Episode: The New Erotic Thriller 'Babygirl'

Host: Alison Stewart
Guest: Helena Raine, Writer and Director of Baby Girl
Release Date: December 16, 2024
Broadcast: Weekdays from 12:00 - 2:00 PM on WNYC

1. Introduction to Baby Girl

[00:53] Alison Stewart:
Alison Stewart introduces the episode by discussing the film Baby Girl. She describes the central characters:

• Rami (Nicole Kidman): A 50-something woman, CEO of a robotics company, seemingly content in her marriage but with unfulfilled desires.
• Samuel (Harris Dickinson): A brash, 20-something intern who enters Rami's life, recognizing her hidden desire for submission.

Stewart highlights the raw and illicit dynamics between Rami and Samuel, setting the stage for an in-depth conversation about the film's themes and character development.

2. Nicole Kidman’s Advocacy for Female Directors

[02:01] Alison Stewart:
Stewart commends Nicole Kidman for her support of female directors, referencing an advocate named Louie Wang. She inquires how Kidman has been instrumental in uplifting women in Hollywood.

[02:14] Helena Raine:
Helena Raine attributes Kidman's success to her practical and proactive approach. She emphasizes Kidman's commitment to finding and supporting female directors globally, leading to opportunities for women to create their own stories.

Notable Quote:
"She sets out to do something. She actually, by sort of attaching herself to these female directors, of course, also gets the job done." — Helena Raine [02:14]

3. Helena Raine’s Transition from Acting to Directing

[02:54] Alison Stewart:
Stewart inquires about Raine’s background in acting and how it influences her directing.

[02:55] Helena Raine:
Raine discusses her history as a stage and film actress, highlighting her roles in classic plays by Shakespeare, Ibsen, and Chekhov. She reflects on the recurring theme of female characters facing tragedy or demise, which inspired her to create stories where women strive for liberation and survival.

Notable Quote:
"I need to create my own stories where characters are trying to liberate themselves, but actually stay alive." — Helena Raine [02:55]

4. Directing Philosophy and Collaboration

[03:36] Alison Stewart:
She asks how Raine’s acting experience aids her directing.

[03:45] Helena Raine:
Raine emphasizes the importance of vulnerability and collaboration, drawing from her theater background. She rejects hierarchical directing styles, opting instead for an egalitarian approach that fosters creativity and mutual respect among actors.

Notable Quote:
"I want to be an equal. I want to collaborate. I come from the theater, where that is a very normal thing." — Helena Raine [03:45]

5. Development of Baby Girl

[04:43] Alison Stewart:
Stewart probes into the genesis of Baby Girl, particularly how Raine conceptualized the project.

[04:50] Helena Raine:
Raine explains that after collaborating with Kidman on rewriting projects, she felt empowered to create her own story. The title Baby Girl intrigued Kidman, leading to her enthusiastic support and commitment to the project.

Notable Quote:
"I just wanted to make it very personal and express my own struggles with aging and appearance." — Helena Raine [12:43]

6. Character Dynamics: Romy and Samuel

[05:53] Helena Raine:
Raine details Romy, portrayed by Kidman, as a seemingly perfect CEO whose facade begins to crack upon meeting Samuel. She discusses Romy's internal struggle between maintaining her polished exterior and confronting her suppressed desires.

[07:09] Helena Raine:
Exploring Samuel’s character, Raine describes him as confident and unafraid to challenge Romy's masks. This interaction catalyzes Romy's journey toward authenticity, despite the risks to her career and personal life.

Notable Quote:
"Romy makes a lot of mistakes. Romy is also a dinosaur. She needs to be educated." — Helena Raine [21:49]

7. Generational Themes and Sexuality

[07:18] Helena Raine:
Raine delves into the generational clash between Romy and Samuel. She characterizes Samuel as representative of Gen Z's entrepreneurial spirit, creativity, and modern approach to sexuality and hierarchy, contrasting with Romy's Gen X values.

Notable Quote:
"For me, sexuality and sensuality is a story. It's all in my mind." — Helena Raine [18:43]

8. Symbolism in Costumes and Soundtrack

[14:12] Helena Raine:
Raine explains how costume design reflects character development. Romy's initial structured attire evolves into more relaxed clothing as she becomes her authentic self. Samuel’s oversized, cheap suit symbolizes his struggle with masculinity and identity.

[16:07] Helena Raine:
She discusses the soundtrack, created by Cristobal, which incorporates primal sounds and animalistic elements to underscore the film's themes of power and vulnerability. The inclusion of "Father Figure" serves as an anthem for the characters' inner conflicts.

Notable Quote:
"The music is always communicating. This is a game. It's primal, it's sexual, it's animalistic." — Helena Raine [16:07]

9. Portrayal of Sexuality and Intimacy

[17:59] Alison Stewart:
Stewart addresses the explicit sexual content in Baby Girl, questioning the collaboration with Nicole Kidman and the use of an intimacy coach.

[18:16] Helena Raine:
Raine clarifies that while the film is perceived as erotic, it's fundamentally a comedy exploring female sexuality and existential crises. She emphasizes the use of choreography and intimacy coordinators to create authentic and safe scenes.

Notable Quote:
"Sexuality and sensuality is a story. It's all in my mind." — Helena Raine [18:43]

10. Exploration of Female Rivalry and Patriarchy

[21:34] Alison Stewart:
Stewart shifts focus to the character Esme, Romy's assistant, and her role in the film.

[21:40] Helena Raine:
Raine describes Esme as a highly ambitious Gen Z woman who challenges Romy's outdated perspectives. Their dynamic illustrates female rivalry as a byproduct of patriarchal structures, highlighting the need for a more authentic, inclusive female gaze in storytelling.

Notable Quote:
"Female rivalry is a consequence of patriarchy. I'm trying to show these two women going into a fight where you're like, why?" — Helena Raine [24:37]

11. Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks

[24:37] Helena Raine:
Raine reflects on the importance of moving beyond the traditional male gaze to embrace diverse perspectives, ensuring that stories represent the complexity of all characters.

[24:49] Alison Stewart:
Stewart thanks Raine for her insights and promotes the film's release at the Museum of Modern Art and nationwide on Christmas Day.

[24:54] Helena Raine:
Raine expresses gratitude for the conversation, wishing there was more time to discuss the film in depth.

Conclusion

In this episode of All Of It, Alison Stewart engages in a comprehensive dialogue with Helena Raine about the intricate layers of her new film Baby Girl. Raine articulates her motivations to portray authentic female experiences, the clash between generational values, and the nuanced depiction of sexuality and power dynamics. Through detailed character development, symbolic costume and soundtrack choices, and a commitment to collaborative directing, Raine crafts a narrative that challenges traditional norms and invites viewers to explore deeper themes of identity and liberation.

Key Takeaways:

• Baby Girl is both an erotic thriller and a generational comedy that delves into themes of authenticity, power, and female empowerment.
• Helena Raine leverages her background in acting to foster a collaborative and egalitarian directing environment.
• The film uses symbolism in costumes and music to reflect character development and thematic elements.
• Sexuality in Baby Girl serves as a metaphor for the protagonist's existential crisis and quest for self-liberation.
• The portrayal of female rivalry is examined as a consequence of patriarchal influences, advocating for a broader, more inclusive female gaze in cinema.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• "She sets out to do something. She actually, by sort of attaching herself to these female directors, of course, also gets the job done." — Helena Raine [02:14]
• "I need to create my own stories where characters are trying to liberate themselves, but actually stay alive." — Helena Raine [02:55]
• "I want to be an equal. I want to collaborate. I come from the theater, where that is a very normal thing." — Helena Raine [03:45]
• "Sexuality and sensuality is a story. It's all in my mind." — Helena Raine [18:43]
• "Female rivalry is a consequence of patriarchy. I'm trying to show these two women going into a fight where you're like, why?" — Helena Raine [24:37]

This summary encapsulates the essence of the All Of It episode, providing listeners and interested parties with a comprehensive understanding of the discussions surrounding Helena Raine's Baby Girl without requiring them to listen to the full podcast.