Brooke Shields with his daughter at pretty baby documentary

Filmmaker Lana Wilson recently recalled to Jezebel her first meeting with Shields ahead of the filming of the two-part documentary about her life, Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields

"Pretty Baby": A Look Back at Brooke Shields' Controversial Film Debut In 1978, a 12-year-old Brooke Shields caused a stir in the film industry with her controversial film debut in "Pretty Baby." Directed by Louis Malle, the movie was set in 1917 New Orleans and told the story of a young girl named Violet, who lived with her prostitute mother in a brothel. Shields played Violet, and her performance was praised by critics, but the film's subject matter and nudity sparked outrage among many.

The controversy surrounding "Pretty Baby" began long before the film's release. In fact, the script was turned down by numerous studios and investors due to its sensitive subject matter. Malle eventually secured funding from an independent producer and began shooting in New Orleans in 1977. Shields was cast in the lead role after Malle saw a photo of her in a magazine.

The film was released in 1978 to mixed reviews. Some critics praised the performances of Shields and her co-stars, while others criticized the film's portrayal of child prostitution and the use of a young actress in such a role. The nudity of Shields also sparked controversy, with some arguing that it was exploitative and inappropriate.

Despite the controversy, "Pretty Baby" was a commercial success, grossing over $12 million at the box office. Shields herself received critical acclaim for her performance, and she went on to become one of the most famous child stars of the 1980s.

However, the film's legacy has been complicated by the ongoing debate over the use of child actors in sexualized roles. In recent years, many have criticized "Pretty Baby" and similar films for exploiting young performers and perpetuating harmful stereotypes about children and sexuality.

Looking back at "Pretty Baby" today, it remains a complex and controversial film that raises difficult questions about the ethics of using child actors in adult-oriented films. While Shields' performance was undoubtedly impressive, it is impossible to separate the movie from its controversial subject matter and the ongoing debate over the sexualization of children in media.

Ultimately, this is a redemption story in which Shields exorcises the ghosts of her youth, buoyed by our culture’s shifting ideas about women. At one point in the doc, she tries to discuss Malle’s 1978 movie, Pretty Baby, with her teenage daughters. But how to explain to them that there was a time, not that long ago, when an 11-year-old girl could appear nude onscreen playing a child courtesan? “To depict that now would not be permittable,” she concedes. The distance between her youth and theirs seems almost unbreachable, and for a minute, she seems mind-boggled.