Billie Piper has spoken out about the conflicting pressures on women today as her directorial debut Rare Beasts premiers at the Venice Film Festival. Speaking to BBC News, Piper explained, ‘I was told I could have it all, but many of the women around me were finding life really hard.’
The aspirational myth of seamlessly juggling kids, career and self-care is what inspired Piper to make the film in the first place. She continues, ‘I was interested in pulling that idea apart a bit more and write about it, and it became Rare Beasts.’ Ironically, or perhaps fittingly for a film about juggling work and family, Piper was six months pregnant by the time shooting ended.
Piper stars as Mandy, a single mother sitting squarely within what she describes as ‘that generation horribly sandwiched between traditional unions and modern romance’, still reeling from her parents’ divorce and trying to reconcile childcare and dating with gender inequality and self-improvement fads. ‘It's hard being alone in the world, but the world seems to be pushing us towards that,’ said Piper.
‘I think women want to be recognised and have equal opportunities and that can be hard as a mother,’ she explained. ‘The world is pointing us towards becoming the ultimate soloist, because there's a lot you can do on your own as a woman now, you can earn money, work, enjoy yourself, and that's amazing, but it's challenging too.'
READ MORE: The Best Looks From The 2019 Venice Film Festival
The Best Looks From The 2019 Venice Film Festival
1 of 16Cate Blanchett
Cate Blanchett stunned at the Joker screening in a strapless Armani gown designed with tiered embellishments.
2 of 16Sara Sampaio
How incredible does Sara Sampaio look in a billowing striped skirt and a sheer, embellished top from Armani?
3 of 16Carlotta Maggiorana
The crown?! Honestly, we just can't get enough.
4 of 16Barbara Palvin
The model wows in a cute floral Armani dress, but the headband makes the outfit ten times cuter.
5 of 16Madisin Rian
Another gorgeous Armani gown, this time modelled by model Madisin Rian.
6 of 16Kristen Stewart
Kristen Stewart matches the carpet in this Chanel dress.
7 of 16Scarlett Johansson
Scarlett Johansson looks incredible in a sequin thigh-high Celine gown.
8 of 16Brad Pitt
The actor dons a bespoke black suit on the red carpet designed by tailor Brioni.
9 of 16Ruth Negga
This white Louis Vuitton strapless number looks simply gorgeous on the actress.
10 of 16Kate Upton
With embellished heels, the star looks out-of-this-world in black dress by Twinset.
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11 of 16Anais Gallagher
The 19-year-old daughter of musician Noel Gallagher looked incredible opting for a Salvatore Ferragamo printer trouser suit.
12 of 16Billie Piper
Sequins and lace? This design by Erdem really does have it all.
13 of 16Iman
This gorgeous Valentino gown has captured our imagination.
14 of 16Timothee Chalamet
The heeled boots make a perfect pair with this swish suit.
15 of 16Lily-Rose Depp
Lily-Rose Depp is serving princess vibes with this matching dress and scarf.
16 of 16Bella Thorne
This chainmail dress by Philosophy is perfect for Bella.
In interview with Screen Daily, Piper spoke about the 2012 zeitgeist that prompted her to start work on the film: ‘It was interesting to me that the world was pushing us to feel progressive and liberating yet I saw a lot of women falling apart. I found that really interesting, I felt that no one was talking about that.’
We’ll have to wait to see Rare Beasts in UK cinemas – but if Piper’s writing and directing is as good as her acting (um, award-winning) then we’re in for a treat.