Kamala Harris’ Role in Contagion and Matt Damon Connection

In the pandemic thriller Contagion, Matt Damon portrays a character whose name may resonate with viewers in 2024. The choice of the character’s name, Mitch Emhoff, holds an interesting connection that goes beyond mere coincidence.

The Story Behind Mitch Emhoff’s Name

Screenwriter Scott Z. Burns shared the intriguing origin of naming Mitch Emhoff, the Minnesota father depicted by actor Matt Damon, during an episode of the Hollywood Gold podcast. He revealed, “Here’s a weird Emhoff story: the reason the Emhoffs are named that is…” Burns continued by explaining that his former executive producer for commercials was named Kerstin Emhoff, which led to the name choice for the character.

The Connection to Kerstin Emhoff

Kerstin Emhoff later ventured into executive producing various films, including documentaries like Manhunt: The Search for Bin Laden and horror movies such as The Monster. However, her notable association stems from her past relationship with Doug Emhoff. Burns mentioned, “She was married to a guy named Doug Emhoff. They got divorced, and as we now know, Doug Emhoff is married to Kamala Harris, which is quite a peculiar coincidence.”

From 1992 to 2008, Kerstin Emhoff was married to Doug Emhoff, who previously served as an entertainment lawyer. After Doug’s remarriage in 2014, Kerstin supported Harris’ vice-presidential campaign in 2020 and attended her inauguration in January 2021. Throughout the ensuing years, she has continued to endorse Harris’ presidential aspirations while displaying affection for Harris’ children, Ella and Cole, during campaign activities.

The Relationship Dynamic

Harris detailed her coparenting bond with Kerstin in a 2019 Elle essay, emphasizing their friendship and shared involvement in Ella’s extracurricular activities. Their modern family dynamic reflects a supportive and functional relationship that extends beyond traditional boundaries.

Uncomfortable Realities

Burns reflected on the unsettling experience of viewers attributing Contagion’s parallels to the COVID-19 pandemic to his prescience or affiliation with government agencies. The erroneous assumptions led to a temporary withdrawal from social media due to the uncomfortable nature of the accusations.

Moreover, the media’s portrayal of Burns as a public health authority despite his profession as a screenwriter, not a scientist, further accentuated the discomfort. He expressed bewilderment at requests from news outlets to provide insights on the movie’s themes in relation to the pandemic, emphasizing the need for medical advice from qualified professionals.

Seeking Expertise

Burns found it disconcerting that media outlets preferred his perspective over that of medical experts. To address this discrepancy, he ensured the presence of a medical professional during his media engagements related to COVID-19, prioritizing accurate information dissemination.

By including knowledgeable individuals in discussions about the pandemic, Burns aimed to uphold the integrity of public health information and avoid misleading interpretations stemming from his film’s narrative.

Enjoy the complete Hollywood Gold episode by listening above for further insights into Scott Z. Burns’ perspective.

FAQs

Q: How did Scott Z. Burns come up with the name Mitch Emhoff in Contagion?

A: Scott Z. Burns named the character Mitch Emhoff after his former executive producer, Kerstin Emhoff, drawing inspiration from their professional relationship.

Q: What role did Doug Emhoff play in Kerstin Emhoff’s life, as mentioned by Scott Z. Burns?

A: Doug Emhoff was Kerstin Emhoff’s former spouse and later remarried to Kamala Harris, making for an interesting connection that Burns found coincidental.

Q: How did Scott Z. Burns handle the media’s perception of him as a public health authority?

A: Despite media inquiries regarding Contagion and the pandemic, Burns insisted on the importance of medical expertise and frequently included medical professionals in his media appearances to maintain accuracy.

Credit: ew.com