Among the film credits of The Trip star, one notably rises above the others, sparking considerable controversy and debate.
In 2004, “9 Songs” hit the screens, depicting the intimate journey of a British scientist (Kieran O’Brien) entwined in a passionate liaison with an American exchange student (Margo Stilley).
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The movie includes highly explicit sex scenes, authentically performed by the actors, notably featuring a scene where the male protagonist ejaculates.
Opting for genuine, non-simulated sexual content, the film garnered a reputation as one of the most explicit mainstream movies ever made.
Despite its bold approach, “9 Songs” faced harsh criticism from both film reviewers and audiences alike, earning a dismal 24 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
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The explicit nature of the sex scenes also attracted negative attention, with some labeling them as “tedious to watch” on the review site.
Despite facing intense backlash, Stilley staunchly defended her decision to engage in on-screen intimacy.
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During an interview with the Irish Examiner in 2008, Stilley recounted facing significant hostility, with people expressing profound anger towards her.
Recalling press conferences, Stilley revealed being subjected to derogatory remarks such as being called “a wh**e” and a “sl*t”, with questioning centered on how she could justify her actions.
Stilley continued: “I didn’t invent sex! There’s a huge sex industry out there that’s worth billions.
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“People ask me if I felt that [director] Michael Winterbottom took advantage of me because I hadn’t acted before, but they forget that I developed the character.”
Expressing her genuine surprise at the reaction, Stilley emphasized that her portrayal in the film as Lisa was vastly different from her own persona.
She clarified that the film wasn’t intended to be pornographic but rather explored themes of love and sexuality.
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“I had sex with my boyfriend last night and that wasn’t porn.” she said.
“It was just hot sex! 9 Songs was a real film about love and sex, and I wanted to do that film and I am proud of it.”
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She emphasized that her career hasn’t suffered negatively as a result: “I don’t get seen only for roles as women who have sex a lot.”
After “9 Songs,” Stilley appeared in “How to Lose Friends and Alienate People” with Simon Pegg, and later in “Hippie Hippie Shake” alongside Cillian Murphy and Sienna Miller.
Prior to her acting career, she worked as a model, initially relocating to Italy after leaving college.
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Later, she moved to London, where she became associated with the casting team for “9 Songs” through an advertisement in Israel.
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