Some moments from our past stay with us, even when we wish they wouldn’t. That’s how legendary British actor Mark Rylance feels when he looks back on one of the most controversial films of his career.

In 2001, Rylance starred in Intimacy, a movie known for a now-famous unsimulated sex scene with actress Kerry Fox. At the time, the director pushed for a level of realism that went far beyond what most actors expect. Rylance later admitted he felt pressured and didn’t yet have the confidence to say no.

The turning point came after filming, when the emotional weight of the experience set in. Rylance said the role soured his life for months, and he described the job as one of the most difficult he ever had. Though the film won awards, he wished he hadn’t made it at all.

Kerry Fox, however, remembers the film very differently. She believes taking such a bold risk shaped her career and opened doors in the film world. While she admits it came with challenges, she says it’s not something she regrets.

Their opposing views show how one moment can leave two people with completely different feelings. For Rylance, it became a painful memory, and for Fox, it became a turning point in her craft.

In the end, their story reminds us that every choice carries a weight, and sometimes the lessons stay with us far longer than the moment itself.