In the documentary “Sex is Comedy”, the work of the intimacy coordinator is (finally) deciphered on screen

On the set of a film, in an almost religious silence, two women look attentively at the screen in front of them. They attend the filming of a sex scene in the series Dividedproduced by Iris Breybroadcast on the France TV Slash platform from this Friday 24 November.

A series that required its main actresses Alma Jodorowski AND JennyBeth, the support of an intimacy coordinator. A practice born about fifteen years ago in the Anglo-Saxon world – which became popular in the filming of films and series after the Weinstein case and the emergence of the #MeToo movement six years ago – allows the filming of sex scenes to be carried out regularly for actors, from the first rehearsals to their execution on set.

A profession deciphered by Edith Chapin in the enlightening documentary Sex is a comedywhich takes us behind the scenes of filming the series Divided. First in the world to return to this practice, also this film available from Friday 24 November on France TV Slash, offers an overview of this specific profession of cinema.

France has only two intimacy coordinators

A job essential on Hollywood film sets, but which still seems unknown in France. “ To make this documentary I had little information and few resources available. Why for French cinema this profession does not exist », reports Edith Chapin.

And for good reason, there are only two who practice it in France: Monia Aït El Hadjformer lawyer, who trained online, and Paloma Garcia Martens, former costume designer for film sets, trained in England and the United States. “ If this profession does not yet exist in France it is first and foremost because there is no specific training., the latter complains. For comparison, they are between 60 and 80 intimacy coordinators, US only. Furthermore, the agreement reached following the Hollywood actors’ strike against the majors includes them too Mandatory presence to shoot sex scenes.

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What does this job actually consist of? “ Lots and lots of communication »summarizes Paloma Garcia Martens, who directed the series Divided. In the documentary we see that, in addition to the choreographed love scenes, there are numerous discussions between everyone involved in the filming of these scenes: ” Have to have six or seven hours rush throughout, capturing the build-up to a scene that lasts only a few minutes » reports director Edith Chapin.

It begins with the first exchanges between actors, technicians and directors: “ The actresses share theirs borderswhile for my part I explain to them the scene and its artistic direction, describes Paloma Garcia Martens. We decide Together of what can or cannot be done, how to do it. If nothing else, for example, to preserve their privacy and ensure that their nudity is not seen by the entire set “. A decisive step to limit abuse: “ Being completely transparent with actors can change everything. What started out as a “no” may actually turn out to be a “yes” if all information is provided “. Then comes the choreography created with precision of movement. Then several hours of rehearsals. First in small groups, then in front of the cameras, sometimes in front of an almost empty stage, according to the wishes of the actors.

An “emergency” for actresses

Meticulous steps for the actresses, who sometimes encounter inconveniences. AsAnna Girardotwho, in the documentary, describes the end of a day of filming in tears, after being he remained topless for several hours to perform a scene. OR Arianna Labedwhich, while recording a sex scene, he had to face an upright playmate. A situation that was ridiculed by some of his colleagues. For her, coordinating intimacy on sets is “ an emergency “.

“ There would be fewer accidents on set, the actress assures us. We don’t ask ourselves the question of accompanying stuntmen for scenes of violence. For producers and directors it makes sense. Why not do it automatically for intimate scenes too? » According to her, their presence is essential on the sets, if only to ensure that the actresses’ agreement with the initial script, as well as with the scenes added during filming, is respected.

Along with many other actresses, Ariane Labed co-founded theActors Association (ADA), to combat sexist and sexual violence on sets. One of their main requests? Request intimacy coordinators on every shot.

Censorship according to French cinema

But this “emergency” is not at all such for French cinema, which shows a form of it resistence. For manufacturers, this technical position would be a cost additional, both for labor and material: for the series DividedPaloma Garcia Martens herself has created protective cases, that is, “ private underwear “, to prevent the sexes of the actresses from touching each other. What does not exist almost not somewhere else:” When they have time, costume designers set up a D-system, gathering scraps of clothing to create protection. When they don’t have time, they only put tape on the actors’ genitals “, he declares.

For many directors, hiring an intimacy coordinator would be a hassle at best. Puritanism imported from the United States, at worst, from censorship. “ There’s this idea that art and creation come first, even consensussays director Edith Chapin. Some think this would hinder creation. The actors and actresses would have been available to the filmmakers for every scene, without being able to express their opinion. This is even if their mental health suffers and even if they risk sexual gender-based violence “.

Read also: 4 actressesEuphoria claim to have refused nude scenes from the creator of the series

A reluctance that affects many filmmakers, regardless of genre. As mentioned Teleramafemale directors like Daniel Arbid OR Mia Hansen-Løve he fiercely opposed this practice, comparing it to “ a sort of virtue police » in the columns of Caretaker.

And for good reason, Paloma Garcia Martens worked much harder filming abroad than in France. While Ariane Labed has always made use of a coordinator abroad… but never in France. For your first film as a director, you turned to a coordinator while writing the script.

If the profession remains reserved, or even rejected, perhaps the salvation for the coordination of intimacy to be more widespread on French film sets will come – once again – from the United States. Streaming platforms require intimacy coordinators on set and produce more and more dramas in France. In the meantime, for the practice to become more democratic, Sex is a comedy it allows you to throw a stone in the pond, and understand that yes, this profession is essential at Cinema.

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