Was more invested in the humanisation of Pamela Anderson: ‘Pam & Tommy’ director Lake Bell

Mumbai, Feb. 12 (PTI): Actor-director Lake Bell says she felt “protective” of Pamela Anderson and her story during the making of series “Pam & Tommy” and insists that the show hasn’t exploited the former “Baywatch” star’s infamous 1990s sex-tape scandal.

Set in the Wild West early days of the internet, the show depicts the true story of Anderson (Lily James) and Tommy Lee (Sebastian Stan) and how their sex tape stolen from the couple’s home by a disgruntled contractor (Seth Rogen).

The video went from underground bootleg-VHS curiosity to full-blown global sensation when it hit the web in 1997.

Bell, known for featuring in films such as “What Happens in Vegas”, “It’s Complicated”, “No Strings Attached” and “Million Dollar Arm”, has directed two episodes of the limited series, which has been created by Robert Siegel.

The 47-year-old actor-filmmaker said after hearing the story of “Pam & Tommy”, her intention was to humanise the real-life traumatic incident.

“I have been a wife, I have my mother, I’m a daughter, a sister and I am a victim of property being stolen from my computer in the form of an image. So, coming at it from that perspective, I had a much bigger bone to pick as it were.

“I was more invested in the humanisation of these people, particularly Pam. I felt quite protective over the Pam story, Bell told PTI in a Zoom interview.

Bell, who previously helmed two light-hearted films “In a World” and “I Do Until I Don’t”, said she dealt with the subject with utmost sensitivity.

“I felt sensitivity and responsibilities in my chapters of this story and we all worked together to make sure that it was a harmonious creative path that we were going just cohesively.

“Additionally, making sure that no way we were going to depict Pam in a way that was dehumanising because it was very important that we got to give her voice rather than what she had been served in the reality of this situation when it happened in real time,” Bell said.

What moved her about Pam & Tommy was how the creators of the show were committed to inspire the conversation around how the society portrays women in the media and exploits them, she added.

“We wanted to give the story an opportunity to write itself in allowing for society at large to be culpable and to be responsible for that kind of abuse and misuse of private property…

“I also think that society has made it harder for women to express anger and rage.

The first three episodes of Pam & Tommy premiered on Hulu on February 2 with the rest of the episodes debuting weekly.

The series has garnered positive reviews from critics.

Bell said Pam & Tommy was a welcome departure for her from the work that she has done as a director.

“I have directed things that are more light-hearted. As we grow there comes an interest and a hunger to grow in our careers. This was a beautiful and welcome departure of what I have been doing.

“And it has unlocked something in me that is pretty exciting. I’m really excited for my opportunity to expand as a filmmaker and creator,” she said.