Schnabel Says Dante Film a Tribute to Italian Art
Rome: Oscar-nominated and Cannes-winning director Julian Schnabel announced at the closing gala of this year’s La Italia Film Fest that his new film, “In The Hand Of Dante,” is a tribute to Italian art.
According to Ansa News Agency, the New York-born Schnabel, 73, whose 2007 film “The Diving Bell And The Butterfly” received four Oscar nominations and won Best Director at Cannes, was honored with the LA Italia Marina Cicogna Award at the Chinese Theater in Hollywood. The award was presented by Franco Nero, who has a cameo in the Dante film. Schnabel expressed gratitude towards Italy, stating, “Italy is the country that has contributed most to my growth and artistic maturation.”
Schnabel, known for his 2000 film “Before Night Falls,” which earned Javier Bardem a Best Actor Oscar nomination, emphasized Italy’s respect for art and artists. He recounted his experiences in Milan during the 70s, where he received free pizza simply because he had paint on his clothes. The creation of the film involved shooting across various regions in Italy, including Sicily, Campania, Lazio, Tuscany, Emilia, and Veneto. Schnabel described this as an opportunity to explore a country rich in history, culture, and art, elements that he credits with enriching his existence and energizing his work.
The director, who is also an author and painter, regards Italian cinema, both historical and contemporary, as a source of creativity. He hopes “In The Hand Of Dante” will be welcomed as a sincere tribute to the history of Italian art. The film’s slogan, “There is only… the eternal present,” is expected to gain international attention.
Following Schnabel’s presentation, the film “The Last Supper” by Venetian director Mauro Borrelli closed the gala on the eve of the Oscars. Borrelli noted that his film, produced with American resources, will soon be released in American theaters with 1,400 copies. He dedicated his work to Pope Francis, expressing that the Pope’s opinion would mean more to him than any international award.
The La Italia Film Fest was promoted by the Capri nel Mondo Institute with support from the Ministry of Culture and Intesa Sanpaolo, in collaboration with Enit, Scabec, Riflessi, Givova, and Adamantis Europe Ltd. “In The Hand Of Dante,” directed and co-written by Schnabel alongside Louise Kugelberg, is based on the 2002 novel by Nick Tosches. The film features a star-studded cast including Oscar Isaac, Jason Momoa, Gerard Butler, and Gal Gadot, with supporting roles from Sabrina Impacciatore, Franco Nero, John Malkovich, and Al Pacino. Martin Scorsese serves as an executive producer.
The narrative of “In The Hand Of Dante” weaves together two parallel stories: one set in 14th century Italy and Sicily featuring Dante Alighieri, and another in the autumn of 2001, focusing on a fictionalized version of Tosches. The historical and modern storylines alternate as Dante embarks on a quest for mystical knowledge in Sicily, while Tosches, a Dante expert, is called upon by black market traders to authenticate a manuscript of “The Divine Comedy,” purportedly written by Dante himself.