Monster premiered this past weekend to a packed house as part of the closing gala to AFI Fest at the Cinerama Dome in Los Angeles. Numerous stars came out for the event with much attention going to writer and director Patty Jenkins, actor Bruce Dern, actress Christina Ricci and her date Adam Goldberg, actor Robb Chamberlain and his sister Courtney Tobey, and producer and actress Charlize Theron and her date Stuart Townsend.
Monster is the film about Aileen Wuornos, the drifter prostitute who was executed here in Florida. Patty Jenkins takes a new look at the serial killer's story. Wuornos, played by Theron, kills many of her "johns" and falls in love with Selby Ward, played by Ricci. This is a bit ironic since Selby is sent by her parents to live with an aunt in Florida in order to "cure her homosexuality." Wuornos, now in love, continues hooking which only fuels her deadly rage. She turns this rage into a killing spree and she is labeled as a monster by the local media.
This is Jenkins' debut film which was shot in the Orlando area in February. This was also Theron's debut as a producer. Also producing were Mark Damon (Media 8 Entertainment, formerly MDP worldwide), Clark Peterson, Donald Kushner and Brad Wyman. The film was picked up by Newmarket Films in September. The film is strategically being released on December 24th in New York and on December 26th in Los Angeles to be considered for Oscar nomination. Wider release is scheduled for January.
Below are pictures from the Red Carpet arrivals on Sunday, November 16th in Hollywood.