Florence Pugh, the British actress known for her roles in films such as ‘Oppenheimer’ and ‘Don’t Worry Darling,’ has shared her mixed experiences with intimacy coordinators on Hollywood film sets. While she praises some for their effectiveness in making scenes more comfortable and helping tell the story better, she also criticizes others for creating an awkward and inappropriate atmosphere during filming. Pugh described one instance where a coordinator’s involvement made a scene feel ‘completely inappropriate,’ highlighting that the role is still finding its footing. She noted that the goal of a good coordinator is to understand the nuances of intimacy in a scene and how it contributes to the narrative.
Speaking on ‘The Louis Theroux Podcast,’ Pugh emphasized that she has always felt confident in her ability to assert herself on set. However, she admitted that there were instances where she felt the direction was inappropriate, despite knowing her own boundaries. It wasn’t until more recent years that she began to appreciate the full potential of working with skilled intimacy coordinators. This became more clear to her through her work in sex scenes, where understanding the dynamics of intimacy helps in portraying the story accurately.
Pugh also mentioned that the process of working with a good coordinator can transform how the entire team approaches a scene. She described it as a ‘dance of intimacy,’ where each element contributes to the storytelling rather than being merely a task to complete. She acknowledged that not all coordinators are the same, and through the good ones, she has learned how effective the role can be. Her comments come after fellow actor Andrew Garfield admitted that he and Pugh took their sex scene in the film ‘We Live In Time’ further than necessary, which led to some awkward moments on set.
Such discussions are increasingly common as the entertainment industry continues to navigate how to handle intimate content responsibly, balancing artistic integrity with the comfort and safety of the actors involved. The conversation around intimacy coordinators reflects a broader shift towards greater transparency and accountability in Hollywood, as the industry works to address long-standing issues of discomfort and inappropriate behavior on set.