Ana de Armas' new film 'Blonde' slammed for 'anti-abortion' propaganda

"As film and TV shapes many people’s understanding of sexual and reproductive health, it’s critical these depictions accurately portray women’s real decisions and experiences,” says Caren Spruch of Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA).

In her submission, Spruch singles out the film’s director, Andrew Dominik, and his depiction of Monroe’s fetus(es), which seem fully formed in the film, and which actually talk at one point in the film!

"Planned Parenthood respects artistic license and freedom. However, false images only serve to reinforce misinformation and perpetuate stigma around sexual and reproductive health care. Every pregnancy outcome -- especially abortion -- should be portrayed sensitively, authentically and accurately in the media,” she adds.

She continues, "It is a shame that the creators of Blonde [the film’s title] chose to contribute to anti-abortion propaganda and stigmatize people’s health care decisions instead."

Blonde, the film

Blonde, a fictionalised chronicle of the inner life of screen goddess Marilyn Monroe, has Ana playing Monroe, who is shown as being pregnant three different times in the movie. Two of those times end with horrific, forced abortions against her will and the third ends in a miscarriage.

Throughout the film, Monroe is portrayed as being desperate to be a mother but she keeps losing her babies each time she seems on the verge of replacing this desperation with a new-born baby.

Monroe is believed to have miscarried in real life at least three times during her marriage to playwright Arthur Miller.

Roe versus Wade

Dominik blames the controversy surrounding the movie on Roe v. Wade.

“No one would have given a s*** about that if I’d made the movie in 2008, and probably no one’s going to care about it in four years’ time. And the movie won’t have changed,” he says.

This year, the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark ruling overturned the Roe v. Wade decision which had guaranteed a constitutional right to an abortion for nearly 50 years.