Helmer defends Kidman’s "Grace of Monako" after royal family's criticism

PanARMENIAN.Net - After the royal family of Monaco blasted Olivier Dahan's Grace Kelly movie, "Grace of Monaco", the director has now broken silence to defend the Nicole Kidman-starring film. Though admitting that there are several historical inaccuracies, Dahan insists that the movie is not a biopic, but just a portrayal of Kelly's role as a modern woman, AceShowbiz said.

The filmmaker tells French paper Le Journal de Dimanche, "I am not a journalist or historian. I am an artist." He claims, "I have not made a biopic. I hate biopics in general. I have made a human portrait of a modern woman who wants to reconcile her family, her husband, her career, who gives up this career to invent another role."

Of the fictional scenes in the based-on-true-story film, Dahan says, "Of course there are historical inaccuracies. Gen. [Charles] de Gaulle never set foot at the Red Cross Ball. But I need this stage to tell my story."

"I think we have a misunderstanding," he goes, referring to a recent report in Paris Match that suggested the Monaco royal family was involved in the project. "We never asked them to endorse anything." Dahan, however, admits he met the royal family and says he has a good relationship with them since May. "When I met with the [family], I had the feeling of being listened to," he said.

Just last week, children of the real Grace Kelly, Prince Albert, Princess Caroline and Princess Stephanie, officially stated that they had "absolutely no association" with the "Grace of Monaco" project. The family also said that Dahan ignored their request to fix the historical inaccuracies in the movie.

"Grace of Monaco" follows Kelly's personal story during the 1962 politics. It stresses on a six-month period in which the newly minted Princess of Monaco maneuvered behind the scenes in an effort to save the city-state from a coup.

Arash Amel wrote the script, which was included in the 2011 Black List and was said to be "generating awards buzz." Joining Kidman in the cast ensemble are Paz Vega, Parker Posey, Tim Roth, Frank Langella, Roger Ashton-Griffiths, Robert Lindsay and Geraldine Somerville.