Legendary director Martin Scorsese is set to grace the silver screen once again. In a departure from his usual roles, Scorsese takes on the character of an elderly sage in Julian Schnabel’s upcoming crime mystery ‘In the Hands of Dante,’ where he profoundly influences Dante Alighieri during the writing of ‘The Divine Comedy.’ He was awarded the honorary Golden Bear on Tuesday night at the Berlin Film Festival.
This marks a significant departure from Scorsese’s typical cameo appearances in his own films and occasional roles in other directors’ works. While he’s previously showcased his acting skills as Vincent van Gogh in Akira Kurosawa’s ‘Dreams’ and lent his voice to the loan shark pufferfish in ‘Shark Tale,’ his portrayal in ‘In the Hands of Dante’ promises to be particularly meaty and impactful.
Talking about Scorsese’s performance in the film, Schnabel dubbed him as ‘extraordinary’. While speaking to Variety, he said that Scorsese’s part was a “brilliant, important role,” adding “You can’t take your eyes off him.”
The film boasts a star-studded ensemble cast, including Oscar Isaac, Gal Gadot, Jason Momoa, Gerard Butler, and Al Pacino. Adapted from Nick Tosches’ novel of the same name, the film centers around a handwritten manuscript of Dante Alighieri’s iconic poem “The Divine Comedy,” discovered within the Vatican library.
The manuscript’s journey unfolds as it passes from the hands of a priest to a New York City mob boss, eventually falling into the possession of Tosches, who is tasked with authenticating its origins. Like Dante himself, Tosches embarks on a profound journey of his own, mirroring the themes and explorations found within the classic poem.
‘In the Hands of Dante’ weaves a narrative that transcends time, seamlessly transitioning between the 14th and 21st centuries. Within this intricate storyline, certain characters lead parallel lives across different eras, adding layers of depth and complexity to the narrative.
One narrative thread follows Dante during the composition of “The Divine Comedy,” delving into the various influences that shape his creative journey.
‘In the Hands of Dante’ also features British musician and actor Benjamin Clementine, portraying a character with both demonic and present-day attributes, while also contributing to the film’s score. John Malkovich and Louis Cancelmi round out the cast, with Cancelmi playing dual roles as a hitman named Lefty and Dante’s benefactor, Guido da Polenta.
Shot primarily in Italy, including picturesque locations like Sicily, Venice, and Rome, the indie film may debut at the Venice Film Festival. Producers include Jon Kilik, Francesco Melzi d’Eril of MeMo Films, and Olmo Schnabel of Twin Productions. Martin Scorsese serves as an executive producer in addition to his acting role in the film.
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