Golden Globe nominee Ana de Armas is baffled as to why her upcoming biopic about the late Marilyn Monroe – Blonde – has been given an NC-17 rating by the Motion Picture Association of America.
“I didn’t understand why this happened,” the 34-year-old Cuban said in her L’Officiel cover story on Tuesday.
“I can point you to a number of shows or films that are much more explicit and have a lot more sexual content than Blonde. But to tell this story, it’s important to show all of those moments in Marilyn’s life that led to her ending the way she did. It had to be explained. All [in the cast] knew we had to go to uncomfortable places. I wasn’t the only one.”
‘I didn’t understand why this happened’: Golden Globe nominee Ana de Armas is baffled as to why her upcoming biopic about the late Marilyn Monroe – Blonde – has an NC-17 rating from the Motion Picture Association of America had received
Movies marked NC-17 (for viewers 18+) are not necessarily considered pornographic or obscene, but most cinemas don’t show them because many newspapers and TV stations refuse to advertise them.
Blonde marks Netflix’s first NC-17 release and Ana’s first headlining role.
“I didn’t grow up watching Marilyn or her films,” admitted de Armas, who only learned English in 2015.
“I’m proud to have Andrew’s confidence and the chance to see it through. I think whether you’re a Cuban actress or an American actress, everyone should feel the pressure.
the 34-year-old Cuban said in her L’Officiel cover story on Tuesday. “I can point you to a number of shows or films that are much more explicit and have a lot more sexual content than Blonde”
Ana continued, “But to tell this story, it’s important to show all of those moments in Marilyn’s life that led to her ending the way she did. It had to be explained’
De Armas (née Caso) added: “Everyone [in the cast] knew we had to go to uncomfortable places. I wasn’t the only one’
When the streaming giant released the trailer on July 28, Twitter users called The Gray Man action star’s accent “horrible,” with some saying she “doesn’t look like Marilyn Monroe at all.”
“It wasn’t my job to imitate her,” defended Ana, who had worked with dialect coach Jessica Drake for nine months.
“I was interested in her feelings, her journey, her insecurities and her voice, in a sense that she didn’t really have one.”
And while Blonde isn’t fully authorized by the Marilyn Monroe Estate, spokesperson Marc Rosen told Variety on August 1, “Ana was a great casting choice as she captures Marilyn’s glamour, humanity and vulnerability.”
Disadvantage: Movies marked NC-17 (for viewers 18+ only) are not necessarily considered pornographic or obscene, but most cinemas don’t show them because many newspapers and TV stations refuse to advertise them
“I Didn’t Grow Up Watching Marilyn or Her Movies”: “Blonde” marks Netflix’s first NC-17 release and Ana’s first starring role
The Gray Man action star, who only learned English in 2015, admitted: “I’m proud to have Andrew’s trust and the chance to go through with it. I feel like whether you’re a Cuban actress or an American actress, everyone should feel the pressure.
The casting of De Armas (née Caso) was also defended by two-time Oscar winner Brad Pitt, who is one of Blonde’s six credited producers.
“She’s phenomenal at it. That’s a tough dress to fill,” the 58-year-old Plan B Entertainment co-founder told ET on Aug. 1.
‘It was 10 years in the making. It wasn’t until we found Ana that we were able to get it across the finish line.’
Blonde author Joyce Carol Oates and Jamie Lee Curtis – whose father Tony Curtis (played by Michael Masini) starred opposite Monroe in Some Like It Hot – have both seen the film and totally agree.
‘I’m not sure I can get over the accent’: When the streaming giant released the trailer on July 28, Twitter users dubbed ‘The Gray Man’ action star’s accent as ‘awful’, with some saying, she “doesn’t look anything”. like Marilyn Monroe’
Ana – who worked with dialect coach Jessica Drake for nine months – defended: “It wasn’t my job to imitate her. I was interested in her feelings, her journey, her insecurities and her voice in the sense that she didn’t really have one.
Back in February, Blonde director Andrew Dominik said the early backlash was “the fucking audience’s problem,” asserting “the only thing nobody’s going to complain about is Ana’s performance.”
“It’s an NC-17 film about Marilyn Monroe, it’s kind of what you want, isn’t it?” the 54-year-old Kiwi director told Variety.
“I want to watch the NC-17 version of Marilyn Monroe’s story.”
And while Blonde isn’t fully authorized by the Marilyn Monroe Estate, rep Marc Rosen told Variety on Aug. 1, “Ana was a great casting choice as she captures Marilyn’s glamour, humanity and vulnerability.”
“She’s phenomenal at it. That’s a tough dress to fill’: De Armas’ casting was also defended by two-time Oscar winner Brad Pitt (L), who is one of Blonde’s six credited producers
‘Go ahead and blow up the internet!’ Blonde author Joyce Carol Oates and Jamie Lee Curtis – whose father Tony Curtis (played by Michael Masini) starred opposite Monroe in Some Like It Hot – have both seen the film and totally agree
‘I want to see the NC-17 version of the Marilyn Monroe story’: Back in February, Blonde director Andrew Dominik (L) said the early backlash was ‘the fucking audience’s problem’ and asserted ‘the only thing’. Nobody will complain about Ana’s performance.
The 84-year-old author’s novel fuels the conspiracy theory that the Golden Globe winner was assassinated by former US Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy.
Blonde will also show a scene where Marilyn is said to be from ‘Mr. Z’ (David Warshofsky) aka Fox Studio Head Darryl F. Zanuck, who was barely disguised in the 752-page work of fiction.
Blonde will have its world premiere in competition at the 79th Venice International Film Festival on September 8 before streaming on Netflix on September 28.
Source material: The 84-year-old author’s novel fuels the conspiracy theory that the Golden Globe winner was assassinated by former US Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy
Sexual Assault Before the #MeToo Movement: Blonde Will Also Air Scene Where Marilyn Is Allegedly Destroyed By ‘Mr. Z’ (R, David Warshofsky) aka Fox Studio Head Darryl F. Zanuck who was barely disguised in the 752-page work of fiction
Streaming September 28th on Netflix! Blonde will have its world premiere in competition at the 79th Venice International Film Festival on September 8th
The two-hour, 45-minute flick also stars Adrien Brody, Bobby Cannavale, Xavier Samuel and Julianne Nicholson.
It’s technically the second adaptation of Blonde, following Joyce Chopra’s three-hour made-for-TV movie that aired on CBS in 2001 and starred Australian actress Poppy Montgomery.
August 4th marked the 60th anniversary of Monroe’s (born Norma Jeane Mortenson) death at the age of 36 from a barbiturate overdose.
21 years ago! It’s technically the second adaptation of Blonde, following Joyce Chopra’s three-hour made-for-TV movie that aired on CBS in 2001 and starred Australian actress Poppy Montgomery
Symbol: August 4th marked the 60th anniversary of Monroe’s (born Norma Jeane Mortenson) death at age 36 from a barbiturate overdose (pictured 1953).