Portman's nude torture

Film

13:30 05 July 2006

Natalie Portman appears completely nude in her new movie.

The actress will be naked during torture scenes in the upcoming historical drama 'Goya's Ghosts', which focuses on the life of revered artist Francisco Goya.

Portman plays Goya's muse, Alicia, who becomes embroiled in a religious scandal after she is accused of being a heretic.

It is not the first time Portman has stripped off for a movie role.

She previously exposed her body in the complex romantic drama 'Closer' - which also starred Jude Law, Julia Roberts and Clive Owen - but the explicit scenes were eventually cut.

The 24-year-old actress has previously admitted she is uncomfortable being a sex symbol - because of her role in 'Leon'.

Portman shot to fame aged just 12 playing a young Lolita-esque orphan who befriends a hardened assassin in the critically acclaimed 1994 movie.

Although the role won her universal acclaim, the actress admits she found it disturbing that some men lusted after her - even though she was a child.

She said: "I had a bad experience when 'Leon' first came out.

"In hindsight, I'm really proud of that film, though at the time it was unnerving to find myself suddenly being looked at."

(C) BANG Media International