Ana de Armas plays Marilyn Monroe in upcoming NC-17-rated Netflix Blond. Recently, she sat down for an exclusive chat with members of the Critics Choice Association to discuss her role in the film. Blond, which is a fictional exploration of the life of the Hollywood sex symbol, was adapted from a 2000 novel of the same name. The film made headlines when it received a rare NC-17 rating from the MPAA, which cited “Some Sexual Content” as the cause for the rating.
The NC-17 rating
Ana de Armas is no stranger to eroticism in cinema. In 2015 she starred alongside Keanu Reeves in the erotic thriller schlocky Knock Knock; most recently, she starred alongside Ben Affleck in the steamy psychological thriller deep waters by acclaimed filmmaker Adrian Lyne. Blond would prove to be among the most graphic of his films; however, it was an intentional creative choice. Ana de Armas said she knew it would be a polarizing and controversial film.
“It’s an uncomfortable movie to watch.” – Ana de Armas
But to fully embody true essence of Marilyn Monroe, you have to go beyond her sexuality. It is not an easy task; Monroe is, after all, one of the most iconic figures in movie history. Nailing the delivery of his mannerisms, his smile and his voice would be difficult. And following the release of Blondes first trailer, audiences were quick to point out that the voiceover didn’t quite click.
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Ana de Armas is Cuban. His accent is thick and has become a staple of his performances. However, in order to portray a real character who has been not Cuban, the accent could create an obstacle. When I first heard about her casting, I was over the moon. She’s a fantastic actress and I knew she was up for the tough task of the role. I wondered though if she would lose the accent. The trailer confirmed that she wouldn’t. Not completely, anyway. During her exclusive chat with members of the Critics Choice Association, Ana de Armas addressed her Blond accent.
“It was more important to find that emotional truth and move people, rather than just copying the voice.” – Ana de Armas
Embody an icon
As she prepared to play a Hollywood icon, Ana de Armas wondered, “What are we going to have in common? She had of course seen Marilyn’s films. “I think she’s amazing in The Prince and the Showgirl“, she recalls. “I like Some like it hot.”
But it would take more than watching movies to fully understand Monroe. Before shooting Blond Ana de Armas admits that she didn’t know much about who Marilyn was as a woman.
“I thought nothing of her, because I didn’t know much. I thought she was a good actress. – Ana de Armas
Throughout filming, however, she began to feel a closer bond with Marilyn. A lot of Blond was filmed using real locations closely related to Marilyn. “I discovered that these places that we were filming were the real places,” she recalls. “The car I was driving, she was driving this car.”
Ana de Armas’ experience as the actress would change her perspective and create a bond that few actors could experience.
“I feel a lot of empathy for her. Definitely more respect… I felt closer to her. – Ana de Armas
Also Read: ‘She Captures Marilyn’s Glamor and Vulnerability’: Marilyn Monroe Estate Comes Out to Defend Ana de Armas
Blond premiered at the 79th Venice International Film Festival and will begin its limited theatrical release on September 16 before streaming on Netflix on September 28. It was directed by Andrew Dominik, who also adapted the screenplay from Joyce Carol Oates’ novel.
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