Cynthia Erivo Wants 'Prima Facie' to Spark Conversation on Consent
At the BFI London Film Festival, Cynthia Erivo discussed her film Prima Facie, in which she plays a lawyer who becomes a rape victim. She said she hopes the movie prompts discussion about how society receives a lack of consent, especially regarding Black women's pain. Erivo also praised her co-star Daniel Ings and the film's intimacy coordinator.
At the BFI London Film Festival's 70th edition, Cynthia Erivo discussed her film Prima Facie during a Screen Talk. She portrays a lawyer who is raped. Erivo said she hopes the movie encourages debate about consent, especially assumptions about Black women's pain. She also thanked co-star Daniel Ings and the intimacy coordinator for helping create a protected set.
Erivo noted that audiences sometimes expect greater visible violence for a victim's suffering to register. She argued the film shows the act itself is violent. She also described saying no to many roles, guided by an inner sense of what fits her. She said she joined Prima Facie because she felt its importance immediately.
The film may prompt viewers to reconsider how they interpret consent and respond to refusals, particularly regarding Black women's experiences of pain. Survivors, legal professionals, and audiences could find the story opens conversations about trauma and courtroom assumptions. By highlighting intimacy coordinators, it may also shape industry practices and expectations on sensitive sets. Its impact likely depends on distribution and discussion, but it could contribute to broader cultural debate without prescribing policy.