Nicole Kidman's film The Lion, which tells the story of a young Indian boy who is adopted by an Australian couple, is an example of life connecting with art. In a new interview with Town & Country magazine, Kidman discusses her own experience as an adoptive parent, which drew her to the story.

Her two daughters with husband Keith Urban, Faith, 5, and Sunday, 8, are still at home, and the couple’s private lives often come up in interviews, such as this one with Oprah in 2011. However, news of Kidman’s two oldest children, Bella Cruise, 23, and Connor Cruise, 21, whom she adopted with ex-husband Tom Cruise, is more rare.

The Oscar-winning actress confirms that this movie captures her feelings about a mother’s unconditional love for her children. “I can see now, for Lion, that it was important to me because I'm a mother with adopted children,” she says. And she continues: “This movie is a love letter to my children.”

Kidman goes on to discuss her character’s love for her adopted son, which mirrors her real-life experience. “Sue is deeply maternal and full of unconditional love, which is beautiful. That’s why I wanted to do it. I relate to that. I feel that for my own children who are adopted. It’s not about anything else other than, ‘I wanted you.’ It’s that deep and personal, and whatever your journey is, I'm here to love and support you. That’s what I connected to.”

According to reports from Australia’s Woman’s Day, Kidman had “an emotional reunion” with daughter Bella about a year after she married her husband, Max. In 2014, Connor confirmed to the magazine that he and his mother have a “solid” relationship.

Kidman spoke to Vanity Fair at this year’s Toronto Film Festival, where she offered her holistic view on the world. “It’s a gift, this life, and I just love the adventure of it. I also have a really solid, wonderful family and relationship, so I can nourish and then go out and have sort of a crazy creative life, as well.”