The Hot Milk press conference at the 75th Berlinale was packed with energy, insight, and emotion. Director Rebecca Lenkiewicz, alongside stars Emma Mackey, Fiona Shaw, and Vicky Krieps, dove deep into the making of this adaptation of Deborah Levy’s novel. The film, a psychological drama set in the scorching Spanish heat, follows a daughter and her ailing mother on a journey to seek a miracle cure. With themes of love, loss, and independence, Hot Milk isn’t just a film—it’s an experience.
The Lowdown:
— Rebecca Lenkiewicz, best known for her acclaimed screenwriting (Ida, Disobedience), makes her directorial debut— Emma Mackey and Vicky Krieps deliver a raw and intimate on-screen relationship— The film explores illness, desire, and the idea of control over one’s own fate— A rhythmic blend of cinematography and music enhances the film’s poetic tension— Inspired by real-life struggles with illness and end-of-life choices
“I Wanted to Inhabit It From Start to Finish” – Rebecca Lenkiewicz on Why She Took the Director’s Chair
Rebecca Lenkiewicz has built a stellar reputation as a screenwriter, but Hot Milk marks her first time behind the camera. What made her take the leap? Simple—she wanted full creative control.
Christine Langan, the film’s producer, originally approached Lenkiewicz to adapt Levy’s novel. But rather than just write the script, she felt an overwhelming need to shape the entire vision. The complexity of the characters, the psychological layers, and the sensory richness of the story convinced her it was time.
“I wanted to have those characters imagined as I was imagining them... I could see it and feel it, smell it.” – Rebecca Lenkiewicz
“We Had No Rehearsal Time—We Just Let It Happen” – On-Screen Chemistry That Feels Unscripted
One of Hot Milk’s biggest strengths is the intensity and realism of its character relationships, particularly between Emma Mackey and Vicky Krieps. Surprisingly, the cast had no formal rehearsal time before shooting. Instead, they relied on instinct, mutual trust, and the natural energy of the set.
For Mackey and Krieps, their on-screen relationship was about discovery—allowing themselves to be moved by one another in an organic way. Krieps compared it to falling in love:
“Let yourself be moved by another person... It’s the closest you can do that in fake for camera.” – Vicky Krieps
Mackey echoed the sentiment, crediting the freedom Lenkiewicz gave them on set.
“There was nothing clinical about it—it was just surprising and truthful.” – Emma Mackey
“I Think Films About Failure Are Really Important” – How Hot Milk Explores Human Flaws
The film’s male characters, particularly the enigmatic healer Gomez, play an unusual role. Unlike typical male leads, they exist more as figures of ambiguity, adding to the film’s exploration of personal and emotional failure.
Gomez, played by an unnamed actor, is a character based on real-life experiences with psychics and spiritual healers. Lenkiewicz sees him as someone who straddles the line between success and failure—just like the rest of the film’s characters.
“There’s a lot of failed people in this film... because failure is a terrible thing in our lives, and we all have it.” – Rebecca Lenkiewicz
Fiona Shaw reinforced this idea, emphasizing that Hot Milk is about deeply flawed humans trying—and often failing—to find happiness.
“You Can Always Be the Woman You Want to Be” – Vicky Krieps on Playing a Freer, Wilder Character
For Krieps, taking on this role wasn’t just acting—it was stepping into an alternate version of herself. She admitted that Ing, her character, embodies qualities she’s always admired but never felt she had.
“There’s always another woman who is freer, more cool, more beautiful... and when I accepted the role, I discovered I can be this other woman.” – Vicky Krieps
She credits the script for drawing her in, describing it as a “treasure chest where you uncover poetry.”
“We Need to Stay Out of the Way and Let the Story Breathe” – The Cinematic Rhythm of Hot Milk
Cinematographer Christopher Blauvelt approached Hot Milk with a minimalist philosophy—letting the actors, the environment, and the story dictate the movement of the camera rather than forcing elaborate setups.
His goal was to create a lyrical rhythm, keeping the visuals clean and unobtrusive. This worked seamlessly with the film’s score by Matthew Herbert and sound design by Riad Gahmi. Lenkiewicz emphasized how these elements created an underlying tension:
“The film has a rhythm—a tension that builds without you even realizing it.” – Rebecca Lenkiewicz
The team wanted the film to feel as much as tell—an approach that added to its hypnotic quality.
“We Should Be Given a Choice” – The Film’s Take on End-of-Life Decisions
One of the most powerful undercurrents in Hot Milk is the question of control over one’s fate, particularly in cases of illness and suffering. Lenkiewicz opened up about how this theme is deeply personal for her.
Her father, who suffered from chronic depression, chose to end his life at 62. She believes he could have had a more peaceful passing had assisted dying laws been different.
“We hurtle into the world in birth, and death... If we are composed of molecules, we should be given a choice.” – Rebecca Lenkiewicz
Fiona Shaw added that the film isn’t about providing answers—it’s about reflecting the complexity of human experience.
“It cuts to the human condition... How do we rub up against each other? How do we find a way through?” – Fiona Shaw
Final Take: A Film That Leaves You Thinking
Hot Milk is a film that doesn’t hand you conclusions. It’s raw, visceral, and filled with characters searching for something—be it healing, love, or freedom. With stunning performances, poetic cinematography, and a deeply personal touch from its director, it’s a film that lingers long after the credits roll.
As the press conference wrapped, one thing was clear—this isn’t just another literary adaptation. It’s a deeply felt, beautifully crafted meditation on human connection and the choices we make.
And if the audience’s reaction at Berlinale is anything to go by, Hot Milk is set to make waves.
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