‘Blonde’the fictional film about the life of Marilyn Monroe starring Anne of Arms, continues to provoke negative reactions after its premiere. The story, based on the novel by Joyce Carol Oateshas not only been rated as “cruel” and “exploitative”but now it is designated to contribute to the anti abortion propaganda due to some controversial scenes that refer to the two abortions that the Hollywood legend had.
After making his debut in Netflix on September 28, the director of the film, Andrew Dominickhas received an intense wave of criticism among viewers, especially from the organization Planned Parenthooddedicated to sexual health care in the United States, which believes that the film wrongly treated the issue of termination of pregnancy and basically became “anti-abortion propaganda.”
The scenes of ‘Blonde’ that the public repudiated
In the film, Monroe is shown being forced to undergoing two abortions against her willIn addition to experiencing a spontaneous abortion at some point in her marriage to writer Arthur Miller, losses that end up tormenting the actress for the rest of her life, especially since it is made clear that the star was excited to be a mother.
However, one scene in particular shows Monroe talking to a photorealistic CGI version of her unborn fetuswhich asks “You won’t hurt me this time, will you?”.
The scene has caused controversy just three months after the US Supreme Court overturned the Roe vs. Wade caseending the legalization of abortion nationwide, a sexual reproductive health right for American women that has existed since 1973.
In an interview for hollywood reporter, abortion rights activists said they saw ‘Blonde’ as a step in the wrong direction, contributing to the disinformation and the little understanding of the real experiences of women who abort, both by their own decision, as well as those who suffer an abortion without wanting it.
“As film and television shape many people’s understanding of sexual and reproductive health, it is critical that these portrayals accurately portray women’s actual choices and experiences,” she told the entertainment outlet, Caren Spruchnational director of arts and entertainment engagement for Planned Parenthood Federation of America.
“While abortion is safe and essential health care, anti-abortion zealots have long contributed to abortion stigma by using medically inaccurate descriptions of fetuses and pregnancy. Andrew Dominik’s new film ‘Blonde’ reinforces its message with a CGI talking fetus, depicted as a fully formed baby.”
Spruch said that while Planned Parenthood “respect freedom and artistic license”, fake images only serve to reinforce and perpetuate stigma regarding women’s sexual and reproductive health care. Hence, it is important to represent this type of situation with greater sensitivity and authenticity.
On the other hand, in an interview for TheWrapDirector of ‘Blonde’, Andrew Dominicksaid that he does not see the film as a fight against the right to decide and that, rather, his perception of it depends on the context in which it was released, since it was shortly after the annulment of the Roe v. Wade case.
“People are obviously concerned about loss of freedoms,” he said. “But, I mean, no one would have cared if I had made the movie in 2008, and probably no one will care four years from now. And the film will not have changed. It’s just what’s happening.”
In a similar sense, it was pronounced Joyce Carol Oateswho spoke about Netflix’s adaptation of his 1999 book, which he considered a “brilliant piece of cinematic art that obviously isn’t for everyone”. Oates also defended director Andrew Dominik from criticism for sexism and misogyny in his portrayal of Monroe.
“I haven’t seen these attacks, but it’s unfortunate as Andrew Dominik’s script (which I had read years ago) struck me as quite ‘feminist’ in intent…” the author wrote in a tweet.
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