I've been reading that Grace Kelly, Marlene Dietrich, and Marilyn Monroe were digitally included in the Charlize Theron J'Adore Dior "movie" (is this what we're calling commercials nowadays?) that premiered this fall, but that Lola Lola doesn't look like a CGI Dietrich to me. Rather, she's a beautiful impersonator, no? If this doppelganger has any acting skills, maybe she can play Dietrich now that Gwyneth Paltrow thankfully no longer has the biopic listed on her IMDB page.
I personally despise those digital re-animations of dead persons for commercials.
ReplyDeleteWhat makes you despise them? Also, do you feel the same way about virtual duets that singers such as Natalie Cole and Celine Dion have performed? I don't have an opinion about these recreations myself, but I do wonder whether that celebrity--if he or she were alive--would consent to them.
ReplyDeleteThe lack of consent is what bothers me. I would also include the faux duets as well.
ReplyDeleteYeah, seeing Marilyn Monroe's image everywhere bothers me because--as far I know--she doesn't have an estate to control how companies use her image to sell products. Now, I'm wondering whether a Dietrich impersonator was used in this commercial rather than a digitized Dietrich because the Rivas didn't consent to the latter (on the other hand, I don't even know whether they allowed the former or even have such rights), and they will hopefully discuss that here or on their Facebook page/website(s)/upcoming blog. That brings me to another topic: some people even find it exploitative when heirs license a dead celeb's image for commercial purposes (e.g., Natalie Cole). Again, I don't have an opinion about that practice, but I'm curious to know what others think.
ReplyDeleteYes, there is an estate that controls licensing MM's image (http://marilynmonroe.com/).
ReplyDeleteI am also interested in other's views on the this topic.
Shame on me for not checking that! Who controls the Monroe estate now? I sifted through some articles and gathered that Strasberg and friends sold their rights to a company called Authentic Brands Group. Years ago, I read that the Monroe estate lost licensing rights, but that clearly wasn't the case if this company has taken the reins. By the way, I find the official Monroe site cryptic. Even though the official Dietrich site is in need of a design overhaul, it at least provides transparent details about Dietrich's estate. After reading about an insidious company called Righthaven, I think that bloggers need to be aware of who's in control of licensing rights--even if they're certain their blog content falls under the "fair use" category.
ReplyDeleteMy understanding is that MM left most of her estate to Lee Strasberg. After his death his third and last wife auctioned off many of MM's things and created Marilyn Monroe LLC, the entity that continues to license her image.
ReplyDeleteI don't mind seeing Grace, Marlene and Marilyn digitally brought together with Charlize (for Dior) in 2011. All are classic blonde beauties whose faces and figures eternally mesmerize - plus, the video is done well. Would have preferred a classier music track, though...
Oh, I thought the song ("Heavy Cross" by Gossip) was a clever choice. The lyrics ("We can play it safe, or play it cool/follow the leader, or make up all the rules/
ReplyDeletewhatever you want, the choice is yours/So choose") add to the message that wearing J'Adore will make you a trendsetter like the ladies in the commercial. Also, it's the kind of music played on runways nowadays, which is why I'd only criticize the sound editors for not mixing it as if it were diegetic.
This Dior ad is on heavy rotation on British TV at the moment in the lead-up to Christmas -- but the Dietrich bit is edited out, so was glad to see this full version! You're right: Grace Kelly and Marilyn Monroe are clearly there via digital trickery, whereas the Dietrich "double" is a flesh and blood woman styled to look like her -- and a very nice job they've done, too. Yes, let's hope the Gwyneth project doesn't happen. As you probably know, Louis Malle was planning to do a biopic of the young Dietrich's early life starring Uma Thurman -- and when he died the whole thing was abandoned. I think Thurman could do a credible job. And I thought Caroline Sihol was amazing as the more mature Dietrich in La Vie en Rose. She got the voice just right.
ReplyDeleteI love Uma Thurman and always thought she would be great. I feel so bad that revenue from MM's image goes to people she didn't even meet and that she didn't get to change her will before her death.
ReplyDeleteBTW Charlieze rocks!!
bitter69uk, I've also seen those ads playing on TV recently--surely for this gift-giving season--and I didn't notice Dietrich. Maybe the estate nixed the homage?
ReplyDeleteAs for Gwyneth, I perhaps should give her a chance because she can act and sing. Also, I have admittedly found her entertaining this past year. When Gwyneth called her mutti the see-you-next-Tuesday word, I ruminated on the possibility that she and Maria Riva could relate on some level.
Still, I bemoan the failed opportunity to see Uma play Dietrich because she bears a strong resemblance that makeup could easily enhance.
As for Miss Theron, I agree 100%, umaneo, and I plan on seeing Young Adult soon.
When you see Uma Thurman's alluring performance in 1930s wardrobe in Henry and June ... she definitely could have played Dietrich beautifully!
ReplyDeleteBitter, I just watched this and wholly concur! I could easily imagine those two as Dietrich and Mercedes de Acosta.
ReplyDeleteHenry and June is such an underrated film. Uma actually looks like an escapee from a Josef von Sternberg film in it, especially in her dreamy close-ups! Watching it, you can see she would have made a haunting and convincing Dietrich in a biopic. It's not too late -- Uma must only be in her early 40s. Let's hope someone sorts it out!
ReplyDeleteAfter watching the trailer for Bel Ami (a title I would have associated with Taylor Lautner, not Robert Pattinson), I hope the powers that be don't rule out Uma. The lighting in that movie doesn't flatter her features (too natural), which highlights the importance of finding a suitable director. Uma looks like a heavy smoker, and she'll need someone who can reverse the years if she's to play Depression-era Dietrich. Otherwise, she can try braid facelifts or Juvederm?
ReplyDelete