Controversial Kidman film gets studio backing

Nicole Kidman's latest offering has received studio backing, despite a growing furore.

16:53 29 June 2004

Nicole Kidman's latest offering has received studio backing, despite a growing furore.

In the film "Birth" Kidman plays a widow who becomes convinced her late husband has been reincarnated and that his spirit dwells in a ten-year-old boy.

In a scene dubbed "borderline disgusting" by some critics Kidman strips and bathes with the child.

But New Line Cinema boss Mark Ordesky defended the scene stressing that the two do not make physical contact.

"The scene was shot over Nicole's shoulder," he said.

"Cameron is playing a grown man trapped in the body of a ten-year-old. When you see the performances in the context of the plot, it makes perfect sense.

"It is meant to be a provocative film, but not in a horrible or salacious way."

Nor does the actor who plays the child seem perturbed.

Cameron Bright, who has also acted in "The Butterfly Effect" and "Godsend", commented: "In one movie I did, I had an abusive father, and in another I had a father who was a paedophile. I've had a lot of really dark roles."