By Julie Barnett | EMOL.org
October 29, 2026
As the centennial of Marilyn Monroe’s birth approaches, filmmaker Remi Gangarossa brings a deeply personal perspective to the Hollywood legend with Marilyn’s Dark Paradise, a dialogue-free short film entering awards consideration after nearly a decade in production.
Starring Stephanie Stuart as Monroe, Addelyn Workman as young Norma Jeane, and Gangarossa as a time traveler, the 22-minute, 50-second film blends historical detail, visual storytelling, and an original score by composer Jason Pelsey to explore the woman behind the public image.
The story follows a time traveler who befriends Monroe but faces a profound dilemma: he knows how her story ends, yet cannot change history. At its heart is a question that extends beyond Hollywood—what happens when the belief that we are not enough becomes the voice we hear within ourselves?
The film’s production involved extensive research, historically connected locations, and authentic Monroe artifacts. Cinematographer Rob Watt helped bring the story to life, while historians and collectors, including Gary Vitacco-Robles, Greg Schreiner, and Scott Fortner, contributed to its historical context.
For Gangarossa, the project is also deeply personal. He began developing the film in 2016 after his brother Tony was struck by a drunk driver. Nearly a decade later, Gangarossa experienced a similar accident himself, deepening the film’s themes of love, loss, resilience, and the limits of our ability to change another person’s fate.
Rather than presenting Monroe solely through the tragedy surrounding her life, Gangarossa hopes audiences will recognize her intelligence, ambition, strength, and humanity.
The film’s upcoming Los Angeles events include a November 9 press reception at St Felix Hollywood, a November 10 screening and Q&A at AMC Century City during the American Film Market, and a November 19 screening and reception at San Vicente Bungalows.
With its unconventional storytelling and emphasis on Monroe’s inner life, Marilyn’s Dark Paradise invites audiences to look beyond the legend and reconsider the woman whose image continues to captivate generations.
Watch the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KG8Jd_T4hbI
Official website: https://www.MarilynsDarkParadise.com