Nicole Kidman says she’s feeling “very exposed and very nervous” as her new film “Rabbit Hole” debuts at the Toronto International Film Festival.
It’s the first time Kidman has promoted a movie at a major film festival as a producer and she says she’s feeling the pressure.
“It’s a whole different ballgame because it’s so personal when you’re in a film but you’re not responsible for the film,” Kidman said at a news conference Tuesday.
“I’m responsible for this film so it’s a big weight. But I’m glad that we made it.”
“Rabbit Hole” is based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning play of the same name, and examines the troubled lives of parents who lose a child.
Kidman and Aaron Eckhart play a couple torn apart as they find themselves dealing with their insufferable grief in different ways. Canadian actress Sandra Oh co-stars as another mom who’s been struggling for eight years to accept her life-altering tragedy.
Kidman — who won an Oscar for her portrayal of Virginia Woolf in 2002′s “The Hours” — says she drew on her love for her own three kids in preparing for the emotional role.
Kidman has a son and daughter with ex-husband Tom Cruise and a baby daughter with country star Keith Urban.
“(Thinking of my kids) just made me want to give so much and honour the truth of the piece for the parents that have been through this,” she said.
Kidman screened an early version of the film for her husband at their Nashville home but it wasn’t until seeing the final cut at the premiere in Toronto that it truly resonated with him.
“He had such a different response (in Toronto), it was very emotional and very supportive, whereas the first time he saw it he was a little more removed from it (since it wasn’t yet finished).”
When asked what kinds of films they watch together Kidman said they’re into all sorts of genres, and noted she’s introduced Urban to foreign movies.
“I took him to his first subtitled movie ever,” she said, noting it was “Volver,” directed by Pedro Almodovar and starring Penelope Cruz.
“He said, ‘I like reading films!”‘
The Toronto International Film Festival runs until Sunday.