A Full-Circle Moment at Cannes: Nicole Kidman, Martha Gellhorn, and My Memoir in the Making

By Rebeca Riofrio

At the majestic Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic in Cannes, where glamour often masks depth, I found myself getting ready for a moment that felt oddly personal. I had prepared questions for Nicole Kidman—not merely as a journalist attending another press conference, but as someone pursuing a quote for a memoir that I’ve long been shaping, page by page.

The reason? Many years ago, my journey in London began in the most unexpected and profound way. In 1994, as a teenager newly arrived in the city, I became one of the assistants to Martha Gellhorn—one of the most formidable war correspondents of the twentieth century. By that time, her eyesight was deteriorating, and she would often introduce me by saying, “This is Rebeca. She’s my eyes.” I was fortunate—no, privileged—to work with her for four transformative years. She was not only a mentor, but in many ways, a maternal force in my life. She paid for my education, taught me the principles of journalism, and opened my eyes to politics, international affairs, and the enduring power of the written word.

So, when Nicole Kidman portrayed Gellhorn in the 2012 HBO film Hemingway & Gellhorn, it struck me at my core. It was more than cinema—it was memory made flesh. Kidman’s vivid, nuanced performance reminded me of moments spent in Martha’s Chelsea flat, of letters dictated and articles read aloud. Watching the film was an emotional reckoning.

Few letters and personal picture with Martha & Rebeca Riofrio

Fast forward to Cannes 2024, just before Nicole took the stage for her Women in Motion interview with Kering and Vanity Fair, I had a brief but poignant exchange with her. I introduced myself and shared how deeply personal her portrayal of Gellhorn had been for me. “Martha was like a mother to me,” I told her, “and your performance meant the world.” Nicole’s response was humble, tender. “What a great privilege it was to play her,” she said. “She was such an influential woman—I was honoured.” Her warmth was genuine, her manner grounded and approachable, a contrast to the untouchable aura that often surrounds screen legends.

Later, Nicole addressed the press in a powerful interview that revealed not only her prolific career but also her tireless advocacy for women in film. The press conference was organised by Kering’s Women in Motion initiative and opened with reflections on her long-standing relationship with the Cannes Film Festival.

“I’ve been coming to this festival for 32 years—can you believe it?” she laughed. “I came first with Far and Away, then To Die For. Since then, I’ve returned many times, and every time feels like the first. To be back here talking about the voices of women in cinema—it’s an honour.”

Kidman spoke candidly about her 2017 commitment to work with a female director every 18 months—a promise she has not only kept but surpassed, having worked with women directors 27 times since then. Her words carried weight, not just because of her accolades, but because of her consistent action.

“I was at a point where I thought: this isn’t right. The names just weren’t there on the lists for consideration. So I said: I’ll take the risk. I’ll be part of mentoring, protecting, and supporting women in film. We have to build the long process—it’s not about one chance. It’s about longevity.”

She also spoke about her deep passion for experimental cinema, independent filmmaking, and the importance of creating opportunities for new and forgotten voices alike—young filmmakers, older women, and those overlooked by the system.

“You don’t know how things will be received,” she said. “Some work gets applause, others fall flat. But that doesn’t mean it’s failed. It’s all part of the process. What matters is to keep showing up, to be there, to make the work.”

As a producer, she’s extending her influence beyond acting, supporting emerging talent and encouraging financial mentorship within the arts—an echo, perhaps, of the way Martha once supported me.

In a particularly touching moment, Nicole referenced how deeply fulfilling it is to see someone get their second or third chapter—a message that resonated with many in the room, myself included. It reminded me that legacy is not only about who we become, but who we help others to become.

Nicole concluded with a reflection on the power of collaboration and a hint at the new chapters she’s writing—not just in performance, but perhaps soon, in screenwriting too.

“I do write, usually at 3 a.m.,” she admitted. “Dreams, fragments, ideas… I don’t know if I’ll be credited anytime soon, but who knows? I always say no, and then change my mind.”

As the press conference drew to a close, I found myself reflecting on how life comes full circle. Martha Gellhorn, the woman who once called me her eyes, gave me the vision to find meaning in words. Nicole Kidman, by embodying her on screen, breathed life into memory. And here I was, years later, gathering it all to craft a memoir that will one day honour them both.

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Rebeca Riofrio is a British-Ecuadorian director, writer, and Editor-in-Chief of Parliament News. Her upcoming memoir will explore her early years in journalism under the mentorship of Martha Gellhorn and many more.