Actress Kim Novak, at 92 years old, criticizes the 'sexualized' biopic portrayal of her relationship with Sammy Davis Jr, as depicted by Sydney Sweeney.
Kim Novak, the Hollywood icon, is currently gracing the Venice Film Festival. The occasion marks the premiere of a documentary about her life and career titled "Kim Novak's Vertigo."
During her time in Venice, The Guardian had the opportunity to catch up with Novak via Zoom. The actress expressed her concerns about another upcoming project, a biopic titled "Scandalous," starring Sydney Sweeney.
Novak is not a fan of the film's title, feeling it does not appropriately encompass that stage of her life. She also voiced her concerns that the film will make her relationship with fellow entertainer Sammy Davis Jr. appear to be all about sexual reasons.
The documentary, on the other hand, provides a more authentic portrayal of Novak's life. It will delve into her struggles to maintain her sense of self in the entertainment industry, her undercover love affair with Sammy Davis Jr., and her battle to keep her family name, Novak.
Novak's memoir reveals she was dazzled and disturbed to be packaged as a Hollywood sex symbol. She was also forced to reinvent herself, with expectations to have the mouth of Joan Crawford and the hair of Jean Harlow.
In the 1950s, Novak's romance with Sammy Davis Jr. came to a halt due to threats of mob violence from Columbia Pictures honcho Harry Cohn, who was adamant that it was 'bad for business' for Novak to be involved with a Black man.
Despite these challenges, Novak won her first major battle by standing her ground and keeping her family name. She believes she is being recognised for her authenticity as much as her acting.
Scandalous will revisit Novak's 50s-era romance with Sammy Davis Jr. and will mark Colman Domingo's directorial debut. However, the director of the film "Scandalous," which tells the life story of Kim Novak, remains unidentified in the available search results.
In 2021, Novak opened up to People about her decision to leave Hollywood for good. She expressed that it feels appreciative to be honoured before the end of her life.
As the festival continues, Novak's presence serves as a reminder of the enduring impact of her career and the complexities of her life story. The premiere of "Kim Novak's Vertigo" promises to offer a unique insight into the life of this remarkable actress.
