Why Netflix declined offer for Andrew Dominik’s Blonde to debut at Cannes
It will be a bit longer yet before critics cast their eyes on Blonde, Andrew Dominik’s long-awaited fourth feature film.
Based on the Joyce Carol Oates book of the same name, and starring Ana de Armas in the main role of Norma Jean (AKA Marilyn Monroe), Netflix have financed the picture but there is no firm release date — be that cinematically or streaming.
There has not even been as much as a trailer although Oates herself said in August last year she had seen a rough cut of the film and was impressed calling it ‘startling, brilliant… and utterly feminist’.
Speaking to Deadline Cannes general delegate Thierry Frémaux was asked about the lack of Netflix-backed pictures at the festival.
He said:
“[Paolo] Sorrentino’s movie [‘Hand of God’] is not at all ready.
“Jane Campion’s movie could have been ready, Andrew Dominik’s film [‘Blonde’] could have been ready — it’s beautiful, I saw it — and I invited those films Out of Competition. Netflix doesn’t want to come to Cannes, but I invited them anyway and alas… It’s important, it’s not us refusing Netflix movies, it’s Netflix who doesn’t want or can’t… They want to come in Competition but films that are part of the Competition must be released (theatrically) in France.”
The beef between Cannes and Netflix dates back to 2017 and, unfortunately, shows no sign of reconciliation.
Put simply: Cannes will only screen films in competition if they get a theatrical release in France — and films that do get a theatrical release must wait three years before streaming.
That goes firmly against Netflix’s business model. While the streaming giant are desperate for the prestige of winning the highest award the film festival circuit has to offer, they’re showing no signs of caving in to Cannes demands.
Cannes has repeatedly kept the door open for Netflix to play ‘out of competition’ but Netflix has yet to accept the offer, hence no Blonde and no The Power of the Dog by Jane Campion either.
Blonde stars Ana de Armas as Monroe, Adrien Brody as Arthur Miller and Bobby Cannavale as Joe DiMaggio. There are also thought to be roles for Dominik alumni Scoot McNairy (Killing Them Softly) and Garret Dillahunt (The Assassination of Jesse James).
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