Uncut, Uncompromised, and Starring Scorsese? Schnabel’s New Film Arrives
From page to screen with a star-packed cast and the director’s full vision.
Julian Schnabel is heading back to the Venice Film Festival with In the Hand of Dante. After years in development, the passion project is finally ready for its close-up — all 150 minutes of it. The film will screen out of competition, but in its full, uncut form, just as Schnabel intended.
Based on Nick Tosches’s genre-defying novel, the story jumps between 14th-century Italy and the modern day. One timeline follows Dante Alighieri; the other centres on a wayward scholar entangled with the mafia. A bold blend of history, danger, and time — typical Venice ambition.
The cast is, frankly, staggering. Oscar Isaac leads, joined by Gal Gadot, Jason Momoa, John Malkovich, Gerard Butler, and Al Pacino.
And yes, that’s Martin Scorsese’s name you saw — it’s still unclear if he’s playing himself, or someone else entirely. Either way, his presence only adds to the mystique.
There was quite a bit of behind-the-scenes tension over the final cut. According to Venice artistic director Alberto Barbera, producers wanted a shorter, fully colour version. But Schnabel delivered something longer, more unusual — and partly in black and white.
"They spent at least a year in back-and-forth," Barbera said.
Still, here we are.
At 150 minutes, In the Hand of Dante may test the patience of some viewers. But Schnabel, who hasn’t released a film since 2018’s At Eternity’s Gate, seems determined to follow his instincts. And isn’t that exactly what we ask of auteurs?
