Demi: I don’t think it was about micro focusing on that. I think it was just about the body as a whole and [showing it] in its rawness.
Demi, how has filming nude scenes and sex scenes changed throughout your time in Hollywood?
Demi: [Back then] we didn’t have what they have quite often now, an intimacy person. I think so much of it is really about communication upfront. Also, I think [it’s important] when you’re given the room after the fact, to be able to have a voice, as opposed to just having to give of yourself and leave it to somebody else…
[While filming The Substance] a lot was set up upfront, but we also had certain support protections, to have a voice after it was all cut together. I don’t think either of us changed anything after the fact, but I think knowing that we had that maintains a certain democracy that I think is important and empowering.
Margaret, what did you learn from Demi while working together?
Margaret: Demi couldn’t have been a better person to work with. I’ve looked up to her for a long time. I’m such a freaking fan of hers, and she’s just such a team player and so supportive. And I felt super lucky to be able to hold her hand walking through this fire.
Was making the film empowering, and do you think there are any messages of female empowerment in the film?
Demi: At the end of the day, it was a very difficult and hard shoot for us on many levels, but I feel like I walked away feeling very liberated. In a way, going to those places that were not so attractive, that were not glamorous, was very freeing.
Margaret: For me, I play this hyper-sexualised idea of perfect, Coralie’s interpretation of the male gaze. It was this brutal experience of an exaggerated form of all the ways in which women try to manipulate their bodies, or feel like they have to manipulate their bodies. I had false eyelashes, I had fake boobs on and long hair extensions – and when I didn’t have the fake boobs on, I’d have a crazy push up bra. All these things that were obtrusive and uncomfortable, and so [it became] this big shield that I was really excited to be rid of.
So what needs to change, to shift these expectations on women?
Margaret: All the things I just mentioned could be really positive, sweet things – if you’re enjoying them. And it’s an expression of yourself.
Demi: But who are you doing it for?
Margaret: Yeah exactly. If it’s an expression of yourself…
Demi: If you like to be in a push up bra…
Margaret: Then go off, absolutely.
Demi: More power to it. But it really goes back to what brings you joy.
Margaret: I think that’s it. It’s a tool that a woman has in her arsenal, or a card in her deck. And if you have that card and you want to use it, amazing. But I hope that you have all of the cards and that you can use any card you’d like.
The Substance is available to watch in cinemas now.