Candy Darling Biopic: Hari Nef’s Passion Project
Journey to the Big Screen
After more than six years of dedicated efforts, actress Hari Nef is taking charge of bringing the life story of Candy Darling, a significant figure in LGBTQ history and a star of Andy Warhol, to the audience. She recently provided an update about the project, which she has taken upon herself to write, succeeding Stephanie Kornick, who was initially linked to the screenplay in 2019.
Fundraising and Early Stages
In a candid conversation with Vogue, Nef noted the project’s current financial status, stating, “We have zero dollars and zero cents.” She emphasized that they are in the early phases of fundraising and casting, underscoring the challenges that lie ahead in her endeavor.
Research and Creative Process
Nef has devoted considerable time to research, spending approximately a year and a half familiarizing herself with Darling’s life before she began writing the script. Reflecting on her approach, she shared, “You’ve seen everything, you’ve read everything—now just figure out what you want to see.” This exploration led her to focus on the aspects of Darling’s story that resonate most with her.
A Personal Connection
As a fellow trans actress, Nef described Candy Darling’s journey as “deeply inspirational and aspirational.” She expressed, “Every actress thinks about who she could play in a movie, but Candy was the only person that I could really see myself as a shoo-in for.” This emotional connection motivates her to share Darling’s narrative with broader audiences.
Film Concept and Themes
Nef characterizes the biopic as a “showbiz movie” that chronicles Darling’s key roles and her struggles to realize her cinematic dreams. She articulated that Darling’s story captures the essence of being “out of her time,” adding, “It moves me. It’s why I need to tell this story.”
Portraying Candy with Sensitivity
When discussing her responsibilities as an actress, Nef highlighted her aim to represent Darling’s life with the utmost sensitivity, stating she wants “to portray her with a sensitivity to how Candy would want to be portrayed … while not shying away from the truth.”
Preparation for the Role
Nef’s preparation for the role includes altering her appearance, specifically making her eyebrows “thinner and thinner” to align with how she envisions channeling Darling. Additionally, she is collaborating with an experienced hair artist to determine whether a wig will be necessary. She is even open to dyeing her hair, saying, “If I have to bleach, I will bleach.”
The Legacy of Candy Darling
The announcement of the untitled biopic originally came in January 2019, with producers Christian D. Bruun, Katrina Wolfe, and Louis Spiegler on board, alongside Kornick as the writer and Zackary Drucker in an advisory role. A cultural icon in Warhol’s Factory scene, Darling achieved cult status through her roles in films like “Women In Revolt” and has been immortalized in songs such as Lou Reed’s ‘Walk on the Wild Side’ and The Velvet Underground’s ‘Candy Says.’ Tragically, she passed away from leukemia in 1974, at the young age of 29.