Italian
Kino Lorber brings ‘Being Maria’ to North America
An in-depth look at Maria Schneider’s life and legacy
Kino Lorber has secured the North American distribution rights to ‘Being Maria,’ a thought-provoking French film that delves into the tumultuous production of Bernardo Bertolucci’s controversial 1972 movie ‘Last Tango in Paris’.
Jessica Palud directs this compelling biopic that shines a light on the distressing events experienced by the late French actress Maria Schneider. With Anamaria Vartolomei delivering a breakout performance as Schneider and Matt Dillon stepping into the shoes of the iconic Marlon Brando, the film promises to offer a searing look at a dark chapter in cinematic history.
A celebrated premiere at Cannes
‘Being Maria’ made its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, distinguished as the only female-directed project in the Premieres section. This accolade not only highlights the film’s artistic merit but also marks a pivotal moment for female filmmakers in an industry often dominated by male perspectives.
Currently, the movie is also being showcased at the American French Film Festival held at the DGA. Adding to its growing impact, Kino Lorber’s own Richard Lorber will receive an honorary tribute at the event.
Exploring Schneider’s harrowing experience
The film dives deep into the life and career of Maria Schneider, whose promising trajectory took a dramatic turn during the making of ‘Last Tango in Paris.’ Cast alongside Brando, Schneider was thrust into the spotlight, under the directorial eye of Bertolucci, then an emerging force in Italian cinema. Yet, what should have been a career-defining opportunity instead became a traumatic experience, as Schneider felt exploited during the infamous filming of a graphic and impromptu scene.
‘Being Maria’ chronicles Schneider’s journey from a rising starlet to a feminist advocate fiercely opposing the objectification of actresses in film. Her activism and resilience in the face of adversity underscore the powerful messages in Palud’s direction.
The craft of Jessica Palud
Jessica Palud has been praised for her empathetic and nuanced portrayal of Schneider’s story. According to Kino Lorber, the film transcends mere biographical recounting to delve into the broader implications of sexual violence in cinema.
Lisa Schwartz of Kino Lorber lauds Palud’s approach: “Jessica Palud has crafted a moving, deeply resonant biopic of Maria Schneider. By centering the ‘Last Tango in Paris’ star’s perspective, the film tells a story that feels more timely and relevant than ever. Anamaria Vartolomei brings Maria Schneider to life with nuance and complexity, and Matt Dillon delivers a compelling and fully embodied performance as Marlon Brando.”
Looking forward to 2025
Kino Lorber has scheduled the film’s release for 2025, with plans for a subsequent digital, educational, and home video rollout. ‘Being Maria’ promises to continue stirring discussions about power dynamics in the film industry long after its initial release.
A collaborative triumph
Penned by Palud and Laurette Polmanss, the screenplay is loosely based on Vanessa Schneider’s memoir ‘My Cousin Maria Schneider.’ The cast is further enriched by performances from Giuseppe Maggio, Yvan Attal, Céleste Brunnquell, and Marie Gillain. Vanessa Schneider herself will be attending this year’s American French Film Festival.
The North American distribution deal for ‘Being Maria’ was orchestrated by Kino Lorber and Studiocanal. Expressing high praise for their collaboration, Studiocanal’s head of international sales highlighted, “Kino Lorber has demonstrated over the years a unique ability to curate the best of contemporary world cinema from major international film festivals while spotlighting many new voices of French cinema.”
Bringing cinema to the forefront
Director Jessica Palud voiced her pride and excitement, noting, “I am very proud that ‘Being Maria’ is being released in the United States, a pioneering country where actresses’ voices have been freed, and I am very happy to be supported by the teams at Kino Lorber, a talented distributor and great lover of French cinema.”
‘Being Maria’ owes its inception to a collaborative production effort involving Les Films de Mina, Studiocanal, Moteur S’il Vous Plait, Cinema Inutile, and an array of supportive entities like OCS – Ciné +, the region of Bretagne, CNC, and Creative Europe – Media Programme of European Union.
This intricate weave of international support underscores the film’s importance not just artistically but also culturally.
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