On Sunday night, The Cinema Society and Piaget had the pleasure of welcoming Madonna, for the New York screening of her new film “W.E.” The film is, to quote producer, Harvey Weinstein, the “renaissance woman’s” directorial debut, and follows dual love stories: a contemporary affair and the storied romance of Wallis Simpson and Prince Edward.
Though Madonna’s appearance was kept tightly under wraps, The Observer‘s arrival, at the Museum of Modern Art, was met with dozens of photographers and fans alike, all holding snappers at the ready. Apparently we weren’t the only ones in the know.
The press went duly mad for the Queen of Pop’s arrival, a fact emphasized by Parker Posey whose time on the red carpet was cut short by the appearance of the director herself. Ms. Posey bounced down the line of reporters, shouting “Madonna is here! Madonna is here!”
As she posed for photos, we spoke with British actress Andrea Riseborough, who plays Ms. Simpson in the film. Ms. Riseborough adhered to the processes involved in physically assuming the unique figure of the Duchess of Windsor. “I trained very hard. I’m half the size of myself now,” she said.
THAT WOMAN: The Life Of Wallis Simpson, Duchess Of Windsor by Anne Sebba, questions the sexuality of Ms. Simpson. So did Ms. Riseborough feel the protruding pressure of androgyny in her role? “No. She wasn’t an hermaphrodite. She was just the perfect person to project that on to.”
When we asked Madonna the same question, however, she found it difficult to answer.
“I dont know. I dont think so. No. No, I think that’s an assumption that one shouldn’t make.” She offered, while being eased away by her publicist. Resisting, Madge returned to make it clear exactly what she thought.
“There is no empirical evidence stating such,” she said matter-of-factly.
While the question over Wallis Simpson remains up in the air, we do have empirical evidence, in the form of photographs, of the high-styled Donna Karen, Anderson Cooper and Kim Cattrall. All of whom graced Madonna with their presence last night.
In the pre-screening introduction she alluded to her disappointment at not being offered a glass of champagne. “So I’m not drunk.” Pausing as the lights dimmed. “I hope I enjoy the film. So did we.