6.30.2005

Richard sets the record straight on Domino

Today we were sent the following statement from Richard Kelly. It is in response to the myriad of innacuracies in this recent article on the Guardian Unlimed website. We at Richard-Kelly.net feel it is a shame that some members of the press have decided to play Domino Harvey's death to their advantage. Why bother reporting the truth when fiction sells so much better? Here's Richard's statement as sent: — Number_5, Dave

1. Tony Scott optioned Domino's life rights twelve years ago. She had been
in close contact with Tony since then. She met with me for several hours for
an interview when Fox (the original studio behind the film) hired me to
write the script. Domino was very excited about the film... she loved the
script... and even filmed a cameo. She was at the wrap party in Vegas. Her
mother, Pauline Stone, visited the set and was very friendly with Tony and
the producers.

2. Domino's sexual orientation was never an issue for me, Tony, or the
studio. There was never an attempt to soften or sugarcoat any element of her
life. Before her passing, Domino herself issued a statement denying
allegations that she was a lesbian, and said that she loved the way Tony was
handling her story. This is absolutely nothing sugarcoated about this film.
If anything... it exaggerates certain parts of her life as a means of
satirizing the outrageous nature of it. I think Domino might be one of the
most subversive films released by a major studio since Fight Club.

3. The film opens with a title card that states: 'This film is based on a
true story... sort of.' The film is very tongue in cheek in its intentional
distortion of the truth. This is part of its design... and this design is
something that Domino loved about the project. I made it clear to her when I
met her that we would capture her fiercely unapolagetic, dystopian and
ultimately tragic worldview. She saw America through a very subversive punk
rock lens (Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols was a friend of hers), and Tony
has captured this worldview in a way that she approved. This is a satirical
interpretation of a biopic... one that shifts from fact to fantasy as a way
of expressing her rebellious spirit and rejection of traditional values,
restrictions and archaic traditions forced upon women.

4. Everyone involved in the production is enormously saddened by her
passing. I have seen Tony's film and I am incredibly proud of it. I know
that Domino was too. I can guarantee that there were never any reshoots done
to address her recent arrest. The film ends how it always ended... in the
realm of myth and fantasy... in a place where Domino has now arrived... and
I guarantee you that she is smiling back at us right now with a mischevious
grin.

I just wanted to set the record straight... as the press has gotten so many
things wrong.

RK

 

Comments on Domino Harvey's death

Hollywood-Elsewhere.com has some comments from Richard as well as Domino director Tony Scott and producer Samuel Hadida on the sad passing of the movie's inspiration. Some of those same comments appear on the official website of the film. The article brings up some questions about the release date and it refutes many of the myths reported yesterday in the British press about having to rewrite the film and shooting a completely new ending. Perhaps we are looking at an August release date after all. This article on ComingSoon.net indicates August 19 specifically. — Number_5