Charlotte Gainsbourg doesn't think 'Nymphomaniac' is sexist.
The 42-year-old actress plays self-diagnosed nymphomaniac, Joe in Volume 1 of the film which sees her recount her erotic past to the man who saves her from a beating, but it's not the first time she's taken on the role of a tortured woman with the direction of Lars von Trier and she claims its less sexist than portraying a doll-like female character.
She explained: "It's much more misogynistic to give a stupid part to a woman in films where they're just dolls. I find that much more insulting than having a torturous part."
Charlotte stars in the film alongside 'Lawless' actor Shia LaBeouf and 'Kill Bill' star Uma Thurman and has worked with director Lars on two of his other controversial films 'Antichrist' and 'Melancholia' and says the characters he creates are based on his own inner torture.
She explained: "Maybe there's a lot of torture, but that's who he is. He's portraying himself through women characters."
Even as a young girl, the Anglo-French daughter of English actress Jane Birkin and French singer-songwriter Serge Gainsbourg, she enjoyed filming violent scenes and says it's more important to telling a story than sex.
She told The Sunday Times newspaper's Culture magazine: "You forget everything. There's no conscience to it. There's something there that is stronger than what you're obsessing over.
"There was a lot of expectation around the sex [in Nymphomaniac], and I feel the film happens elsewhere."

Katy Perry has been spotted with a ring on her engagement finger.
The 'Roar' singer was pictured with partner John Mayer on Valentine's Day (14.02.14) sporting a ring on the third finger of her left hand, making many wonder if he had asked her to marry him.
The couple enjoyed a meal at Sunset Towers in Los Angeles on the romantic day before heading to a club to party.
A source told E! news despite the ring they are not engaged yet, but "they are really happy. They had the most amazing date night. They had a private booth at Bootsy Bellows and were very happy just to be together."
Another source told People.com Katy was sipping champagne in the club and at one point stood on a sofa at her table and dancing to Montel Jordan's party track 'This Is How We Do It'.
Superstition has already pointed to Katy - who was previously married to comedian Russell Brand, who she divorced in 2012 - and John marrying, after she caught one of the bouquets of flowers thrown by a couple married during Macklemore and Ryan Lewis' performance of 'Same Love' at the Grammy Awards. Tradition follows that the person who catches the bouquet will marry next.
Sources have also said John referred to Katy as his "wife" when they were on set for a joint TV appearance last year.

Prince William referred to Dame Helen Mirren as "granny" at the BAFTAs tonight (16.02.14).
The second in line to the British throne presented the actress with the British Academy of Film and Television (BAFTA) Fellowship Award and made his quip while introducing her, referring to Helen's famous portrayal of Queen Elizabeth - his grandmother - in 'The Queen'.
Speaking at London's Royal Opera House, where the awards took place, he said: "The recipient of this year's fellowship is an extremely talented actress who I should probably call granny."
William's co-host, actor Jeremy Irons, added: "Helen Mirren has always been an actress impossible to ignore.
"Everything she did was always worthwhile, it was always serious, and because of her it was always intrinsically sexy.
"She has 11 BAFTA nominations and has won four, she is one hell of a dame and of course she should be a BAFTA fellow."
Helen, 68, then collected her award, which she dedicated to one of her schoolteachers, whom she said was a huge influence on her but had sadly passed away recently.
She added: "My little life is rounded with this honour, thank you very much indeed."
Helen later said it was the first time she had met William.
She said: "I wanted to take out a hankie and rub it on his face. It was an honour and he's really lovely. He's really very sweet."

Paris Hilton didn't wear underwear to her birthday party on Saturday (15.02.14).
The socialite and businesswoman celebrates turning 33 today (17.02.14) but held a party this weekend at Greystone Manor in Hollywood, and arrived at the event in a pink gown by Alon Livne which was slit so high on the thigh, it would have revealed the band of any undergarment.
Explaining her fashion choice, she wrote on Instagram: "Love my beautiful #Birthday dress! Thank you alonlivne! I feel like a princess!!
"Yes! I know! My dress has a very high cut slit! And that's because it's a dress straight off the runway! I saw it in my friend @AlonLivne's #NYFW fashion show & I just knew it would be the perfect #Birthday dress! Loves it! #CoutureRunwayBarbie (sic)"
Paris - who is also an aspiring singer and DJ - also performed at the party, and was very impressed by the crowd's reaction.
She wrote on Twitter: "#YES! #Killedit tonight with my set at @Greystone_Manor! Never seen LA rage so hard at an LA club! So happy you all loved my set so much! (sic)"

'Gravity' won big at the BAFTAs tonight (16.02.14) taking home six awards.
The 3-D space drama directed by Alfonso Cuarón and starring George Clooney and Sandra Bullock was the biggest winner of the night at the British Academy of Film and Television Awards (BAFTAs) in London, gaining trophies for Best Director, Special Visual Effects, Cinematography, Original Music, Sound and Outstanding British Film.
Accepting his award, Alfonso - who is Mexican, but has lived in England for more than ten years - said: "I don't know if I can open my mouth. I consider myself a part of the British film industry. I guess I make a good case for curbing immigration."
He also praised his son, Jonás, and Sandra Bullock before dedicating the award to the "downstairs" workers who had made the film's sound and effects possible.
Although 'Gravity' won the most trophies, historical drama '12 Years A Slave' was named Best Film and its star, Chiwetel Ejiofor, took the Leading Actor award.
Accepting the trophy, Chiwetel thanked director Steve McQueen, saying: "Thank you for you work, your artistry and your passion in this project ... to make it of such value, of such worth. This is yours by the way - I'm going to keep it, that's the kind of guy I am, but it's yours."
Meanwhile, the Leading Actress award went to Cate Blanchett for her role in 'Blue Jasmine', while Jennifer Lawrence took home Supporting Actress for 'American Hustle'. Supporting Actor went to 'Captain Philips' star Barkhad Abdi and Italy's 'The Great Beauty' was named best Film Not in the English Language
Among Hollywood stars to attend the ceremony at London's Royal Opera House were Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio.

BAFTA Awards 2014 - Full list of winners:

Best Film Winner: '12 Years A Slave'
Director Winner: Alfonso Cuarón
Leading Actor Winner: Chiwetel Ejiofor
Leading Actress Winner: Cate Blanchett
Supporting Actress: Jennifer Lawrence
Supporting Actor Winner: Barkhad Abdi
Film Not in the English Language Winner: 'The Great Beauty'
Special Visual Effects Winner: 'Gravity'
EE Rising Star Winner: Will Poulter
Adapted Screenplay Winner: 'Philomena'
Original Screenplay Winner: 'American Hustle'
Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema Winner: Peter Greenaway
Supporting Actress Winner: Jennifer Lawrence
Cinematography Winner: 'Gravity'
Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer Winner: Kieran Evans
Animated Film Winner: 'Frozen'
Original Music Winner: 'Gravity'
Costume Design Winner: 'The Great Gatsby'
Make-Up and Hair Winner: 'American Hustle'
Documentary Winner: 'The Act Of Killing'
Editing Winner: 'Rush'
Sound Winner: 'Gravity'
Production Design Winner: 'The Great Gatsby'
British Short Animation Winner: 'Sleeping With The Fishes'
British Short Film Winner: 'Room 8'
Outstanding British Film Winner: 'Gravity'
Fellowship Winner: Dame Helen Mirren

Simon Cowell has shared the first pictures of baby Eric.
The reality TV mogul's girlfriend, Lauren Silverman, gave birth to their son on Friday (14.02.14) and Simon has posted pictures of them doting over the tot.
Alongside three black and white shots of the new parents with the baby - including one of Simon cradling him to his chest - he wrote on Twitter: "Mum, Dad and Eric. Now two days old. Now you can see how very handsome little Eric is. I never knew how much love and pride I would feel."
Simon flew from London to New York on Friday (14.02.14) as soon as he heard Lauren had gone into labour, and was by her side as his first son was born. He then visited the hospital again yesterday (15.02.14) to see the newborn, arriving with a red bag, most likely filled with treats for Lauren.
'The X Factor' boss Simon was very emotional after Eric's arrival, and said he was brought to "very happy tears" as he and Lauren welcomed their son into the world.
A source said: "He is such a proud dad and they are completely obsessed. It was an incredible and emotional day for them both.
"Simon was amazing and was by Lauren's side the entire time. There were very happy tears from everyone, including Simon."

Emily Blunt has given birth to a baby daughter.
'The Devil Wears Prada' actress and her husband, John Krasinski, welcomed their first child into the world today (16.02.14) and have already settled on a name.
Announcing the happy news on Twitter, John wrote: "Emily and I are so incredibly happy to welcome our daughter Hazel into the world today! Happy bday!"
He also added he and Emily wanted to "let the news out directly" by announcing it themselves.
Emily, 30 and John - who stars in the US version of 'The Office' - started dating in 2008 and got engaged a year later before tying the knot in Italy in 2010.
John, 34, has been comforting his wife as she reached the later stages of pregnancy, with a source recently saying: "John's trying to make the pregnancy as easy as possible for Emily. He's going to make a great father."
In preparation for the new arrival, Emily spent $35,000 on baby items at luxury boutique Petit Tresor.
The British actress - who has previously described being married to John as "an effing blast" - has also said they're likely to have more children.
She said: "We're both from big families, so I think it's something we want."

Black Eyed Peas are set to return next year.
The 'I Gotta Feeling' group - will.i.am, Fergie, apl.de.ap and Taboo - are getting back together for their first studio album and tour since 'The Beginning' in 2010.
A source told The Sun newspaper: "The Black Eyed Peas are all in agreement they should put a new tour on for the fans - it's not like they properly split when they parted for a hiatus in 2012.
"This time around they're going to head back into the studio and lay down a new album quickly and then hit the road once again.
"Will.i.am has been instrumental in persuading all the Peas to get back into shape and hit the road again."
The source says new mother Fergie - who has five-month-old son Axl Jack with her husband Josh Duhamel - has been holding the process up.
The insider added: "Fergie's been stalling and wants to hold out for as much money as she can guarantee.
"She's got a baby now and needs it to be a very worthy amount to make her take her baby on the road."
The members of the group have been busy working on other projects since the band finished their last tour, with apl.de.ap becoming a judge on 'The Voice of the Philippines' and releasing solo tracks, Taboo working on his own solo material and will.i.am releasing an album '#willpower' as well as judging 'The Voice' in the UK and being executive producer on Britney Spears' last album 'Britney Jean'.

Joel Kinnaman had trouble peeing in his 'RoboCop' suit.
The Swedish actor had 45lb of armour applied to turn him into the cyborg policeman every day of filming on the new movie - a process which took an hour and 45 minutes - and he needed help taking certain bits off every time he had a toilet break.
He told E! News: "There was a procedure. It took a while, but you get through it. They didn't have to take me [to the bathroom] but they had to remove certain parts, the essentials."
bathroom difficulties aside, Joel admits wearing the heavy armour plating made him look cool.
He added: "It made me feel badass. But it also made me feel some of the vulnerability that the character was going through and that was an interesting contrast of emotion, being amputated from the throat down but at the same time having this almost invincible incredible new body. The suit helped me understand some of those thoughts."
Joel, 34, also said playing RoboCop fulfils one of his boyhood dreams, as he was a huge fan of the 1987 original, directed by Paul Verhoeven.
He said: "[It came out] sometime when I as nine or 10 years old. I've seen it like 20 or 25 times. I know it by heart. I loved it and still love it."

Jason Derulo gave Jordin Sparks 10,000 roses for Valentine's Day.
The 'Talk Dirty' singer went one better than Kanye West - who gifted his wife-to-be, Kim Kardashian, "a thousand" roses - by filling a suite at the Redbury Hotel in Los Angeles with the bright red flowers.
He wrote on Twitter: "10,000 roses fill this suite! I only wish I could've fit 10,000 more in here! (sic)"
Jordin, 24, was amazed by the lavish gift when her fiance surprised her with them.
She tweeted: "Completely overwhelmed by 10,000 roses today from, my love, @jasonderulo. They're so beautiful! Omg.... (sic)."
Jordin then posted another photo of them together with one of the bunches, adding: "Preeeetty sure my face says it all. I love you babe!"
Romantic Jason, also 24, also played matchmaker on the romantic day on Friday (14.02.14), as a member of his audience proposed to his girlfriend while he performed his track 'Marry You' at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, as part of a Valentine's Day concert.
He also shared the flowers he and Jordin aren't able to keep with other lovers, tweeting: "Happy Valentines! I'm glad we were able to give the excess of the 10,000 roses away after the surprise. Spread the love ya'll."

Kendall Jenner has flown to London to host a birthday party for Harry Styles.
The reality TV star - who is rumoured to be dating the One Direction singer - arrived in the UK over the weekend, where she is said to be teaming up with Harry's friend, radio DJ Nick Grimshaw, to organise a wild celebration at The Box nightclub in London.
A source told the Daily Mail newspaper: "They are throwing Harry a belated 20th birthday party.
"It's a sign of how far their relationship has come that she and Nick, one of Harry's closest friends, are doing it together. They have many surprises planned."
'Story of my Life' star Harry turned 20 on February 1 while in California, where he had a low key day celebrating with Kendall, 18, at her father, Bruce Jenner's mansion in Malibu.
The singer's 19th birthday was a wild affair, with him partying with Nick at trendy London club Alibi where they ran up a £5,000 bar tab and Harry received a lap dance from a stripper dressed as a policewoman.
A source said at the time: "It lasted about 10 minutes but the girl stayed after and chatted to guests. She took her clothes off but kept her bra and pants on. They wanted to embarrass him."
Despite insisting they are not dating, Harry and Kendall have been inseparable over the last few months, flying between the UK and the US to see each other and even going on a short ski holiday.

Emma Watson fell ill after Darren Aronofsy banned water bottles on the set of 'Noah'.
The filmmaker wanted to encourage a "pro-environment" atmosphere during filming to echo the messages of the movie, which led to the "delirious" actress drinking "stagnant" water in a bid to stay hydrated in the early morning heat.
She said: "Because of the storm, Douglas [Booth] and I ended up shooting most of our scenes between 4am and 7am - and at that time I never function well.
"Because the film has a pro-environment message, Darren didn't want anyone drinking from plastic water bottles on set either. So that made things slightly harder.
"Everything we used had to be recycled or recyclable. Having no water bottles on set at five in the morning - when you're exhausted and delirious - wasn't ideal.
"I was so tired one morning I picked up a mug from my trailer and drank some stagnant water that had been there for the duration - so three months. I was so ill."
And the 23-year-old actress was stunned when the director told her to "use" her illness in the scene.
She continued to Wonderland magazine: "I came in the next day and was like, 'Darren, I don't think I can do this, I'm really sick.' He was like, 'Use it for the scene.' And I turned round to the bus and was like, 'Is he joking? He is joking right?' and there was deadly silence."
Filming was often tough on the movie because of extreme weather conditions, and the heat even saw Ray Winstone come close to passing out on set.
Douglas said: "We started filming in the summer in New York. It was so hot that Ray Winstone at one point, who wore a beard and heavy make-up, nearly fell down a flight of stairs."
Emma added: "His make-up was literally melting off his face. Then we decided to shoot the soaking wet scenes. We literally went through all the seasons."