Andrew Dominik has no regrets about creating one of the years most polarizing films.

During an appearance at Saudi Arabias Red Sea International Film Festival over the weekend, the Australian filmmaker addressed the heated backlash that ensued following the fall release of Blonde , his Marilyn Monroe biopic.

Noting that American viewers had mostly hated the film, Dominik said he was really pleased that the films treatment of Monroe had outraged so many people.

Now were living in a time where its important to present women as empowered, and they want to reinvent Marilyn Monroe as an empowered woman, he said, according to The Hollywood Reporter . Thats what they want to see, and if youre not showing them that, it upsets them.

Based on Joyce Carol Oates 2000 novel , Blonde has an NC-17 rating and is, by accounts, a graphic interpretation of Monroes life, including scenes of miscarriages, sexual assault and substance abuse.