Most people know about that period in history but there is not much storytelling around it. Was it difficult to get the film made?

Everything was difficult, the funding, the location and getting everyone there. Of course Jen casting an unknown actress in a lead role didn’t help with the funding! But Jen is fearless and completely uncompromising on things that shouldn’t be compromised. I think she is really brave and sometimes it seems disingenuous to use the word ‘brave’ when talking about filmmaking but when you see some of the visceral reactions she got, to having put her neck on the line and put out this story, to show the truth for what it is, she really is brave.

Do you think we need more bravery in films today?

So much film is about pleasing everyone, not saying anything troubling just to make as much money as possible but that’s not truly what the purpose of storytelling is. Of course even I like to go see a movie that just lets me check out and get entertained for two hours but I think we need more than that. A really huge part of what makes a healthy society is having art that actually says something, that tries to spark conversation and I think despite the backlash that the film got, it did spark conversation. We have got people talking and I think it has been a thought-provoking film experience and I am really proud of being a part of it.

The backlash could seem ridiculous as the violence in The Nightingale is nothing compared to some other films.

Yes, like any Tarantino film! In one way it seems ridiculous but in another way it points to a much deeper societal conversation. The fact that we got so much heat for the violence in our film while, for example, I watched Once Upon A Time In Hollywood and people were laughing their way through a scene where someone gets her face smashed against a wall. It’s a very strange moment when you think ‘why is this type of violence ok?’. Yet, I understand it – and I am a fan of Tarantino so it’s not me doing him down – but it’s an interesting moment to go ‘oh you are ok with this guy making this film with these horrific violent scenes but you are not ok with us actually really showing very little of the violence but showing you the emotional pain’.

What do you think is different?

It’s a very interesting double standard that we have and it’s not necessarily a double standard between men and women – even though it is probably a little bit of that – but I mean double standard as: it’s ok if I am able to disengage but it’s not if you actually make me feel something. It’s fascinating.

Do people fear empathy?

People fear being made to experience uncomfortable feelings. Watching things that have actually happened and are happening.

Aisling Franciosi on Jennifer Kent’s harrowing drama The Nightingale