at Andrew Dominick Blondthe Marilyn Monroe biopic starring Ana de Armas as screen legend, has garnered strong reactions since its premiere at the Venice Film Festival on September 8 and debuted on Netflix on September 28. Film critics called the film, which is based on Joyce Carol Oates’ 2000 novel of the same title, cruel and exploitative for its depiction of Monroe’s life.
One of the threads of this criticism has been the way Blond deals with abortion. The film depicts Monroe as having had two illegal abortions, which were forced on her against her will and tormented her. Via photorealistic CGI, the film depicts Monroe’s fetuses talking to her. “You won’t hurt me this time, will you?” a fetus asks Monroe.
Arrived three months after the Supreme Court overturned Roe vs. Wade, Blond comes as many in the entertainment industry have reflected on their own role in how abortion is understood by the public.
With regard to abortion rights activists, Blond is a step in the wrong direction. “As film and television shape many people’s understanding of sexual and reproductive health, it’s critical that these portrayals accurately depict women’s real decisions and experiences,” said Caren Spruch, National Director of Engagement. of Arts and Entertainment from the Planned Parenthood Federation of America. The Hollywood Reporter. “While abortion is safe and essential health care, anti-abortion zealots have long contributed to the stigma of abortion by using medically inaccurate portrayals of fetuses and pregnancy. Andrew Dominik’s new film , Blondreinforces their message with a talking fetus in CGI, depicted as a fully formed baby.
Spruch went on to say, “Planned Parenthood respects artistic license and freedom. However, the fake images only reinforce misinformation and perpetuate stigma around sexual and reproductive health care. Every pregnancy outcome – especially abortion – must be portrayed with sensitivity, authenticity and accuracy in the media. We still have a lot of work to do so that everyone who has an abortion can see themselves on screen. It is unfortunate that the creators of Blond chose to contribute anti-abortion propaganda and stigmatize people’s healthcare decisions instead.
In an interview with The envelopeDominik said he doesn’t view the film as anti-choice and that his perception as such stems in part from the timing of its release so soon after the reversal of deer. “People are obviously concerned about the loss of freedoms,” he said. “But, I mean, nobody would have cared if I had made the movie in 2008, and probably nobody will care four years from now. And the movie won’t have changed. It’s just that that is happening.