“Truly naked”, interview with actors Andrew Howard and Alessa Savage

February 18, 2026

Actors Andrew Howard and Alessa Savage reflect on their approach to "Truly naked", working to bring authenticity and emotional depth to their performances

"Truly naked", interview with actors Andrew Howard and Alessa Savage Cristiana Palmieri

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“Truly naked”: A Bold, Audacious, Thought-Provoking, Elegantly Crafted Exploration of Humanity and Intimacy

Presented at the 76th Berlinale, “Truly naked” by director Muriel d’Ansembourg stands out as a provocative and compelling narrative that pushes boundaries to explore complex themes of family, sexuality, and authenticity. The film’s title perfectly captures its essence, exposing vulnerability and raw human emotion. This film bravely delves into controversial territory, prompting viewers to question perceptions of intimacy and connection in the digital age.

Exploring the Depths of “Truly naked”‘s Characters

In “Truly naked”, the characters embody contradictions that challenge stereotypes and highlight authentic human struggles. Actor Andrew Howard describes his portrayal of Dylan as a man grappling with aging, financial hardship, and the desire for meaningful connection, despite his work in a controversial industry. Andrew Howard emphasizes that beneath these external façades lie genuine emotions and nuanced personalities, making the characters in “Truly naked” multifaceted and deeply relatable.

The Emotional Intensity of “Truly naked”‘s Performances

Alessa Savage’s performance in “Truly naked” shines through her portrayal of Lizzie, capturing the delicate balance between professionalism and vulnerability. Her background in expressing sexuality through film informed her approach, allowing her to convincingly depict emotional engagement while maintaining authenticity. The focus on emotions and psychological depth ensures that “Truly naked” offers a powerful reflection on human intimacy, cementing its place as a groundbreaking piece of cinema that encourages viewers to look beyond stereotypes and see the true humanity within each character.

Plot

Alec, a soft-spoken, introverted teenager, has always viewed life through the lens of his father’s small-time pornography business where their home doubles as a set. Since his mother’s death, Alec has been drawn deeper into the family business and he now films and edits the content that his rough and ready father, Dylan, produces and stars in. As an ageing performer, Dylan is struggling to keep things afloat and relies on girls such as Lizzie, a free-spirited adult entertainer who has become something like an older sister to Alec. As financial pressures mount, Dylan’s swagger begins to unravel, exposing Alec to the growing chaos around him. When the father and son relocate from London to a sleepy seaside town, Alec hopes for a fresh start and tries to make new friends without revealing his unconventional life. Events take a turn when he meets classmate Nina, a fiercely independent and feminist young woman whose world view could not be further from the one that Alec grew up with. As their bond deepens, Nina invites Alec into a realm of intimacy and vulnerability that cannot be captured on camera and challenges him to explore what it means to be truly seen.

Written by: Cristiana Palmieri

Muriel d’Ansembourg