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Emma Thompson: Sex should be recommended by the NHS
It comes amid a rise in Hollywood plots exploring the lives of sex workers, including the Oscar-winning film Anora about a young escort who achieves what she believes is a fairytale when she marries the son of a Russian oligarch.
Dame Emma's character in Good Luck to You, Leo Grande, by contrast, is a widow who wants to experience a sexual awakening.
Her character never experienced an orgasm, something that the actress admitted is 'notoriously difficult' for women.
Discussing the topic at the screening, she described the female orgasm as 'a beautiful, healthy expansion of your body in a moment of time'.
Dame Emma added: 'It's very good to be able to give yourself an orgasm when you need one. And for women, it is notoriously difficult.
'In fact, the stats are quite alarming. It really is much harder than you think. One of the things that really surprised me when the film came out was the number of young women who told me they'd never had an orgasm.'
Sex work 'very complicated'
The Sense and Sensibility actress also acknowledged her 'very complicated views about sex work', but said that Daryl McCormack, her co-star in the 2022 film, had spoken to a host of sex workers ahead of the role.
She said they taught the 32-year-old actor that their profession is just work for them, saying they are 'just like accountants – sex workers are doing a job'.
Mikey Madison, the breakout star of Anora, also acknowledged the sex worker community in her Oscars acceptance speech for best actress.
The 26-year-old, who consulted sex workers for her role, said: 'I also just want to again recognise and honour the sex worker community.
'I will continue to support and be an ally. All of the incredible people, the women I've had the privilege of meeting from that community has [sic] been one of the highlights of this entire incredible experience.'
Dame Emma, who is president of the Helen Bamber Foundation, which supports survivors of human trafficking, said: 'Sex workers are a little more vocal now and very strong on what they think needs to happen – and they're the people we need to listen to.'
