• Martin Freeman is starring in 'Miller's Girl'
  • He has some explicit scenes with Jenna Ortega
  • Their age gap has cause criticism

In a whirlwind of controversy, Martin Freeman defends his latest film 'Miller's Girl,' against criticism over the 31-year age gap between him and co-star Jenna Ortega. The film, a dramedy directed by Jade Halley Bartlett, delves into the affair between a high school teacher and his student, aiming for a nuanced discussion on difficult topics.

Is age just a number?

Freeman draws parallels to historical dramas like 'Schindler's List' to highlight the importance of artistic freedom in exploring sensitive themes. Amidst the debate, intimacy coordinator Kristina Arjona confirms Jenna Ortega's comfort with the film's intimate scenes, emphasizing the careful consideration given to the actors' boundaries.

'Miller's Girl' finds itself at the heart of a heated debate, not for its storyline, but for the real-life age difference between its leads, Martin Freeman and Jenna Ortega. Freeman, unfazed, insists the film is "grown-up and nuanced," challenging critics to look beyond the surface.

With the spotlight on the film's intimate scenes, Kristina Arjona, the intimacy coordinator, reveals the meticulous care taken to ensure Ortega's comfort and consent.

"There was many, many people throughout this process, engaging with (Jenna) to make sure that it was consistent with what she was comfortable with, and she was very determined and very sure of what she wanted to do," Arjona said at the time, adding, "I'm hyper aware of both of my talent and making sure that we're consistently checking in and that at no point are any of their boundaries being surpassed."

Arjona also said there were discussions on the "level of nudity" with Ortega and Freeman and added that the film had "different variations of how they wanted to shoot these scenes so that audiences could watch them at test screenings to see what was too much."

The adaptation of SAG-AFTRA's intimacy protocols post-'Miller's Girl' underscores the evolving standards in Hollywood's handling of sensitive scenes.

Freeman's defense of 'Miller's Girl' underscores a broader conversation about the role of art in society. By comparing the film's thematic exploration to that of 'Schindler's List,' Freeman challenges audiences to appreciate the complexity of storytelling, especially when it navigates the murky waters of controversial themes.

"It’s not saying, ‘Isn’t this great?’" said Freeman in defense of 'Miller’s Girl.' "Are we going to have a go at Liam Neeson for being in a film about the Holocaust?"

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Despite the controversy, 'Miller's Girl' promises viewers a thought-provoking journey into the complexities of human relationships. Available on Netflix, the film invites audiences to form their own opinions on its contentious narrative.

Be sure to tune it and watch and draw your own conclusions...