“Flesh Impact,” a short film directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal, made its Asian premiere at the Busan International Film Festival in South Korea this year, renewing attention on the life and legacy of Marilyn Monroe. The 17-minute movie serves as a creative homage to the iconic actress, portraying her not as the well-known blonde bombshell but as a serious artist reimagined as a 100-year-old actor. The film has already attracted critical acclaim and is considered a strong contender for the Academy Award in the best live-action short film category.
The project was developed in collaboration with Authentic Brands Group, which holds the rights to Monroe’s image and name. Dana Carpenter, the group’s executive vice president of entertainment, described the filmmakers’ approach as innovative and unconventional. Rather than revisiting Monroe’s most famous moments, such as the classic scene of her white dress blowing over a subway grate, the filmmakers sought to tell a new and unexpected story that had not been previously seen by audiences.
Filming took place in locations significant to Monroe’s life, including Los Angeles and New York City. Monroe, who had lived and worked in both cities, notably regarded Brooklyn as her favorite place and expressed a desire to retire there. Scenes were shot on Broadway near the Music Box Theatre, highlighting her ties to the New York acting community, as well as on traditional Hollywood sets in Los Angeles, capturing the atmosphere of the era in which she rose to fame. Carpenter described the experience of filming in these historic settings as “magical and beautiful.”
Monroe’s connection to South Korea also drew mention during the festival. During her marriage to baseball legend Joe DiMaggio in the mid-1950s, Monroe visited U.S. troops stationed in South Korea, an experience she described as profoundly impactful. Although the film does not explicitly depict Monroe’s time in Korea, this chapter of her life was considered during discussions of the film’s narrative. Carpenter noted that Monroe’s decision to entertain the troops marked a significant personal moment, even reportedly causing some friction with DiMaggio.
The premiere of “Flesh Impact” in Venice last September marked the film’s first major festival appearance before its Asian debut in Busan. Carpenter, who has visited South Korea multiple times over her career, expressed admiration for the country’s creativity and craftsmanship, citing its influence across various fields such as fashion, technology, and the arts.
“Flesh Impact” emerges as a distinctly modern reflection on Marilyn Monroe’s enduring cultural significance, illuminating lesser-known facets of her identity while paying tribute to her artistic legacy during what would have been her centennial year.