British actress Elizabeth Hurley recently opened up about her unique experience of working under the direction of her son, Damian. The mother-son duo collaborated on the movie Strictly Confidential — described as “a sensual thriller with a devilish twist” — where Damian made his directorial debut.
Elizabeth said she felt “safe and looked after” by her 21-year-old son Damian as they shot the more hot-and-heavy scenes in the movie, which tells the story of a young woman’s fixation over her best friend’s death.
"I was 20 when we wrote it," Damian said in an interview with Access Hollywood. "We went out to the Caribbean, and we made it in 18 days – it was terrifying."
"He always said, 'If I ever get to make a real film, will you be in it?' And I said, 'Absolutely, your first film, I will definitely be in,'" Elizabeth said.
Elizabeth kept her promise and has her name on the cast list of Damian’s debut movie, Strictly Confidential.
Elizabeth Hurley said she felt "relaxed" in front of her son Damian as he directed her for his debut film
Image credits: Damian Hurley
As she spoke about having her son directing her through the intimate, racy scenes, Elizabeth was quoted telling the outlet, “I’m relaxed in front of him, too. He looks out for me. I do have to be photographed in bikinis because it is one of my businesses – who likes to be photographed in bikinis? No one.”
“It’s just, it’s relaxing knowing someone’s behind the camera who looks out for you, which was the same on this movie in a way, because you know the things that his script needed me to do in this weren’t necessarily things I had always done in movies many times before, but having him there meant that I felt safe and looked after,” she went on to say.
Strictly Confidential's trailer showcases Elizabeth Hurley in hot and heavy scenes with a costar
Damian said it’s normal for them to click pictures of each other, so it’s “just not a thing” for the mother and son.
“People find this really controversial. We’re in the business. Showbusiness has been a fundamental part of my entire life, so for us, it’s just not a thing. It’s just part of business. She takes my photos, I take her photos,” said Damian, who made at least one short film before making his first feature-length film.
The movie is set to release on April 5 and has Elizabeth starring alongside Georgia Lock, Lauren McQueen, Freddie Thorp, and Genevieve Gaunt.
Damian made her feel so looked after in front of the camera that she said she "may do it again"
Image credits: Elizabeth Hurley
Elizabeth said she found it “liberating” working with a family member and would consider doing it again.
“I knew that in production, in the post, I knew he would look after me. So actually, it’s kind of liberating to work with your family. I may do it again,” she said.
“We kind of felt in our comfort zone,” added Damian.