Planned Parenthood has criticized the Netflix film Blonde for “anti-abortion propaganda”.
The 18-rated film, based on Joyce Carol Oates’ novel of the same name, features many imagined scenes from the star’s life. It’s caused a lot of controversy since it was released on the streaming giant earlier this week.
Blonde isn’t a standard biopic, and people have criticized the film for viewing it as “traumatic” and arguing that it was “exploitative” of Monroe, particularly noting the numerous sexual assault scenes that occur throughout.
Many people also highlighted the film’s treatment of abortion. Blonde portrays Monroe as having two illegal abortions against her will.
In a scene that was widely shared and criticized on social media, CGI is used to portray Monroe’s fetuses looking and talking to her as if they were fully developed babies.
“You’re not going to hurt me this time, are you?” a fetus asks Monroe.
Planned Parenthood is among organizations and viewers who have accused the film of having an “anti-abortion” tone.
Caren Spruch, National Director of Arts and Entertainment Engagement for the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, told , “Because film and television shape many people’s understanding of sexual and reproductive health, it is critical that these portrayals convey the true choices and choices.” Accurately reflect experiences of women.
“While abortion is a safe, essential medical care, anti-abortion advocates have long contributed to the stigma surrounding abortion by using medically inaccurate descriptions of the fetus and pregnancy. Andrew Dominik’s new film Blonde reinforces her message with a CGI speaking fetus that looks like a fully developed baby.”
Ana de Armas as Marilyn Monroe in Blonde
(netflix)
Spruch went on to say that while Planned Parenthood “respects artistic liberty and liberty,” these “false images only serve to reinforce misinformation and perpetuate stigma surrounding sexual and reproductive health care.”
She continued, “Any outcome of pregnancy — particularly abortion — should be portrayed in the media in a sensitive, authentic, and accurate manner. We still have work to do to ensure everyone who has an abortion can see themselves on screen.
“It’s a shame that the creators of Blonde decided to contribute to anti-abortion propaganda and instead stigmatize people’s health choices.”
Viewers at home have also condemned the film’s abortion scenes.
“Blonde is basically a three-hour anti-abortion commercial disguised as a Marilyn Monroe biopic,” one wrote.
Scenes from the film show Monroe’s aborted fetus speaking to her
(netflix)
Another added that it gave them a “slightly anti-abortion tone” (they had a talking fetus that pitied Marilyn and they over-glamorized him).
Another called it an “amazing piece of bad faith, anti-abortion nonsense.”
In an interview with The Wrap, director Dominik Blonde defended against the criticism, claiming that the review came about because the film was released so soon after Roe v Wade fell.
“People are obviously concerned about the loss of freedoms,” he said. “But I mean, if I had made the film in 2008, nobody would have cared, and probably four years from now, nobody will care. And the film will not have changed. It’s just what’s going on.”
The Independent has reached out to a Netflix representative for comment.
Oates, who wrote the 1999 book on which the film is based, has defended Dominik against criticism, calling his screenplay “remarkably feminist.”
Aside from the abortion scenes, there is another controversial moment in the film when Marilyn performs a sex act on a character who closely resembles JFK (actor Caspar Phillipson also previously played the President in Jackie).
Many viewers have complained that the film is “unwatchable,” taking to social media to explain that they didn’t manage to play more than 20 minutes into Blonde before canceling it.