Keira Knightley has revealed she has a strict rule when it comes to filming sex scenes – she refuses to work with male directors.
Having filmed numerous romantic scenes in the past, the acclaimed actress, 35, has decided she wants to avoid portraying the "male gaze" going forward.
The Pirates of the Caribbean star explained that while she doesn't have an "absolute ban" on sex scenes, she is only willing to do one with a woman behind the camera.
Speaking on the Chanel Connects podcast, Keira opened up on the decision, explaining motherhood had changed her perspective on acting. She said: "It's partly vanity and also it's the male gaze. 'If I was making a story that was about that journey of motherhood and body [acceptance] I feel like, I'm sorry, but that would have to be with a female filmmaker.
"I don't have an absolute ban, but I kind of do with men."
Keira also made it clear she wasn't interested in filming anything too graphic, distancing herself from the sort of sex scene that would see the actors "grunting". She said: "I don't want it to be those horrible sex scenes where you're all greased up and everybody is grunting. I'm not interested in doing that."
Keira has two children – Edie, five, and Delilah, one – with her husband James Righton, who rose to fame as the keyboard-player of London band Klaxons.
After giving birth, Keira's attitude to her body has changed, with the actress explaining: "I feel very uncomfortable now trying to portray the male gaze.