First look at new Marilyn Monroe movie, Blonde
There has been buzz surrounding the upcoming release of the NC-17 rated film Blonde from Netflix who has just released the official trailer and brand-new photos from the set.
Based on the bestselling novel by Joyce Carol Oates, Blonde boldly reimagines the life of one of Hollywood’s most enduring icons, Marilyn Monroe. From her volatile childhood as Norma Jeane, through her rise to stardom and romantic entanglements, Blonde blurs the lines of fact and fiction to explore the widening split between her public and private selves. Written and directed by Andrew Dominik, the film boasts a cast led by Ana de Armas and featuring Bobby Cannavale, Adrien Brody, Julianne Nicholson, Xavier Samuel and Evan Williams.
For generations now, queer men and women have celebrated Marilyn Monroe as a cherished icon. For us it goes deeper than her status as the ultimate movie star and original blonde bombshell. No, for us its about the very pronounced split between her personal and public lives and the damage it did to her psyche. This is a storyline only too many queer people are familiar with which has created great empathy for the tragic star from our community.
Director Andrew Dominik said: “She’s deeply traumatized, and that trauma necessitates a split between a public self and a private self…The film’s very much concerned with the relationship with herself and with this other persona, Marilyn, which is both her armor and the thing that is threatening to consume her.”
Actress Ana de Armas has been commended for her fearless and unwavering commitment to the role of Marilyn which consistently demanded emotionally gut-wrenching performances on top of three hours in the hair and make-up chair during the film’s 47-day shoot.
“Our movie is not linear or conventional; it is meant to be a sensorial and emotional experience,” says de Armas. “The film moves along with her feelings and her experiences. There are moments when we are inside of her body and mind, and this will give the audience an opportunity to experience what it was like to be Norma and Marilyn at the same time.”
Blonde will premiere globally on Netflix September 28.
