‘Blonde’: Ana de Armas reflects on negative criticism: “It’s not meant to be liked”

Since its premiere on Netflix last September, ‘Blonde’ has been one of the most controversial films of 2022. The biopic directed by Andrew Dominik, based on the novel of the same name by Joyce Carol Oates, has been sharply criticized by both journalists and the publicand now its protagonist speaks out about it.

Ana de Armas knows that “Blonde” is not for everyone. “It wasn’t a movie made to please people. It’s a hard movie to watch”. All in all, it’s positioned against the criticism that “Blonde” does the Hollywood star (Monroe, not De Armas) a bad favor. “I think it’s the opposite. I think he badmouths his environment and the industry, and I think that’s something people in the industry sometimes find hard to swallow.”.

One of the most cited aspects by the film’s naysayers is that, rather than criticizing the exploitation of Marilyn Monroe in Hollywood, ‘Blonde’ appears to do the same. In this regard, the protagonist believes that the film is liked not only by professionals of the seventh art, but also by the general public, which for her could be one of the reasons for the general discontent. “I feel like the movie makes the audience feel like a part of it too. We contributed back then, and still contribute, to the exploitation of actors and actresses, people in the public sphere. We, as an audience, do. And I think it’s possible that some people felt singled out.”.

De Armas admits that receiving this kind of criticism is “difficult”but face them “You can always go back to what you experienced, why you did it and why you were drawn to the project. That won’t change”. In addition, find support in the film team and its professional colleagues: “You have the director and you have other actors and actresses you can talk to. As hard as it is to hear that people don’t like your film, it is what it is.”relativizes.

Europe versus USA

Ana de Armas also points out the difference between American and European reception. While in the US they were mostly hits, at film festivals like Venice they received a 14-minute standing ovation.. “Of course, the reaction that attracts the most attention is that of the United States”says the actress, “but this is not the full experience”.

If there is one aspect on which the criticisms of ‘Blonde’ converged, it is highlighting the interpretation of Ana de Armas under the skin of the Hollywood star, which earned her her first nomination for best actress at the Oscar gala. In the early morning of March 13 we will know if she is the one chosen to collect the statuette.