Dakota Johnson, Ellen Burstyn portray Marilyn Monroe in Maggie Gyllenhaal's short film 'Flesh Impact'
Los Angeles, July 28
Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Maggie Gyllenhaal is set to pay tribute to Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe with her upcoming short film 'Flesh Impact', starring Dakota Johnson and Ellen Burstyn as different versions of the legendary actress, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The 17-minute short will have its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival in September, where Gyllenhaal is also serving as the jury president. The project coincides with what would have been Monroe's 100th birth anniversary and has been created with the blessings of Monroe estate holders Authentic Brands Group.
Described in official press materials as "a love letter to one of cinema's most enduring icons," 'Flesh Impact' features Dakota Johnson as Monroe at the height of her fame, while Academy Award-winning actress Ellen Burstyn portrays an imagined older version of the Hollywood legend. Monroe died on August 4, 1962, at the age of 36.
The film also stars Peter Sarsgaard and 'The Pitt' actor Sepideh Moafi.
Speaking about the project, Gyllenhaal shared her long-standing fascination with Monroe and the inspiration behind the film.
"I've always been fascinated by Marilyn Monroe. So, when Genesis first came to me with the idea of a celebratory project for her centennial, I knew I wanted to work together on bringing this story to life," Gyllenhaal said in a statement, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
She added, "With 'Flesh Impact', we showcase the timeless icon we know and love through a modern lens that reclaims her story."
In an interview with Vanity Fair, Gyllenhaal described the film as a blend of history and imagination.
"This film is very much a mixture of Marilyn and my fantasy of her," she said. "In a lot of ways, this movie is about Marilyn and also about actresses in general and what it's like to have that strange, very vulnerable, and, at the same time, very powerful job," according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The film is produced by William Green for The Cut, Michelle Ross for Superprime, Nicolette Spencer and Melissa Moore for INNOCEAN, and is presented by automotive brand Genesis. Maddi Carlton, Brandon Boerner, Rebecca Skinner, David Webb and Courtney Kivowitz serve as executive producers.
The creative team includes production designer Karen Murphy, casting director Mary Vernieu, costume designer Jennifer Johnson, editor Affonso Goncalves and cinematographer Lawrence Sher.
Highlighting the project's significance, Amy Marentic, Chief Marketing Officer at Genesis Motor America, said, "At Genesis, we believe the arts have a unique ability to inspire reflection, spark meaningful conversation, and connect people through stories that endure across generations. Our support of this film honoring Marilyn Monroe reflects our commitment to celebrating cultural icons whose influence extends far beyond their time," according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Burstyn will also attend the Venice Film Festival for Kornrl Mundruczo's out-of-competition film Place to Be and is set to receive the festival's prestigious Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Venice Film Festival is going to be something else this year! Maggie Gyllenhaal as jury president AND her own film premiering there? That's power move, yaar. 😄 But I'm curious how they'll 'reclaim her story' - Monroe's life was so commercialized. At least they got permission from the estate.
Honestly, I'm tired of Hollywood making films about themselves. Monroe died 60 years ago, let her rest. Meanwhile, we have actors like Naseeruddin Shah and Shabana Azmi who deserve centenary celebrations. But I guess that's how the industry works - it's all about branding and Genesis cars 🚗
As someone who grew up watching Monroe's films on old DVDs, I'm actually excited about this! Ellen Burstyn as an older Marilyn? That's brilliant casting. I also love that Gyllenhaal is exploring the duality of fame - something we've seen with actresses like Nargis and Meena Kumari here too.
Clever move by Genesis brand! But why does every Monroe tribute need to be so melancholy? I get the tragedy, but let's also celebrate her comedy timing - 'Some Like It Hot' is still a masterclass. Anyway, hopefully this short film does justice to her complex legacy.
I appreciate the feminist lens Gyllenhaal is bringing - 'reclaiming her story' is exactly what we need. In India, we still see actresses being reduced to their appearance. This film about Monroe's vulnerability and power feels very relevant. Plus, Ellen Burstyn at 92 getting
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