Actress Ellen Burstyn, who portrays Marilyn Monroe in the new Venice Film Festival short "Flesh Impact," believes the enduring fascination with the screen icon, 64 years after her death, stems from the carefully crafted persona she presented to the world. "It was deep and innocent and sexy and all of those things at once," Burstyn said.
Another perspective comes from Dana Carpenter, an executive at the Authentic Brands Group, which manages Monroe's image. Carpenter suggests Monroe's continued appeal to new generations is rooted in her status as the "anti-nepo baby." In an era where the offspring of famous parents, such as Dakota Johnson and Brooklyn Beckham, are highly visible, Monroe's own difficult upbringing and rise from obscurity offers a powerful narrative.
"Marilyn really had an incredibly rough upbringing," Carpenter stated. "When you look at her appeal to a new generation, a lot of people take inspiration from that; that she came from nothing – or worse than nothing."
Carpenter added that Monroe was not only a talented comedic and dramatic actress but also a persistent advocate for greater control over her career and personal life. Authentic Brands Group acquired Monroe's estate in 2011. In celebration of what would have been her 100th birthday this year, the company has overseen various commercial initiatives, including collaborations with Lee jeans and Mattel for a Marilyn Barbie doll, alongside ongoing advertising campaigns for brands like Chanel and Tiffany.
The increasing prevalence of AI-generated imagery presents new challenges for protecting Monroe's likeness. Carpenter described the task of combating fakes as "whack-a-mole" at times. While the company has not ruled out the possibility of authorizing an AI-driven portrayal of Monroe for future projects, it is not currently part of their strategy for building a new fan base.
Director Maggie Gyllenhaal revealed that AI was considered for "Flesh Impact," a film exploring a hypothetical scenario where Monroe lived to 100. The project initially involved attempting to use AI to superimpose Monroe's likeness onto actress Dakota Johnson. "We worked very hard at it, and in the end threw it away because what was coming through Dakota playing Marilyn Monroe was so much more moving, human, alive," Gyllenhaal explained.
Burstyn shared a personal anecdote about encountering Monroe once in a nightclub, an experience that left a lasting impression. "She was such a magical creature… And then she looked at me, and nodded ... I was very early in my career, and I thought: 'I've just been recognised by Marilyn Monroe.' I carried that in my heart," Burstyn recounted.
Burstyn also mentioned her closeness to Monroe's confidant, Ralph Roberts, who relayed that Monroe considered her public persona a complete construction, distinct from her true self.
In separate festival news, Andrew Scott has garnered significant critical praise at the Telluride Film Festival for his performance in "Elsinore." The film focuses on actor Ian Charleson's acclaimed stage portrayal of Hamlet while secretly battling AIDS. Critics are already touting Scott, who previously impressed in "All Of Us Strangers," as a strong contender for the Best Actor Oscar. This buzz follows acclaim for John Malkovich's performance in "Wild Horse Nine" at the Venice Film Festival.
"Elsinore" is set to open the BFI London Film Festival on October 7. The film delves into Charleson's courageous decision to continue performing in "Hamlet" at the National Theatre in 1989, despite his declining health. Scott described the experience of playing Charleson as deeply moving, particularly given the historical limitations faced by gay actors in the industry. He emphasized his desire to portray Charleson's full life and spirit, rather than focusing solely on his illness.
Meanwhile, Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem star as a couple navigating marital strife in "Bunker," a new film written and directed by Florian Zeller. Inspired by Stanley Kubrick's "Eyes Wide Shut," the film explores the blurred lines between reality and fiction. Bardem and Cruz, a real-life couple of over 30 years, play an unhappily married pair whose relationship is tested when the architect husband is commissioned to build a survivalist bunker for a tech billionaire.
