Julian Schnabel's long-anticipated, eccentric period drama "In the Hand of Dante" has at last graced the silver screen, captivating its audience. The film, starring Oscar Isaac, received an enthusiastic reception at its world premiere in Venice on Wednesday evening, earning an eight-minute standing ovation. Schnabel, who swapped his signature smocks and fedora for a sleek black tuxedo and polished Oxfords, gracefully bowed to the enthusiastic crowd and warmly embraced Isaac and the rest of the cast amidst the thunderous applause.
Jason Momoa, a prominent supporting actor, made a striking entrance on the red carpet in a vibrant pink suit before the screening but discreetly exited with his entourage before the film began. This marked Momoa and Isaac's second Venice red carpet appearance together, following the world premiere of "Dune: Part I" in 2021.
"In the Hand of Dante" is an adaptation of Nick Tosches' 2002 novel of the same name, with Schnabel and his wife Louise Kugelberg co-writing the screenplay. Isaac portrays both medieval poet Dante Alighieri and contemporary author Nick Tosches, the latter of whom embarks on a perilous quest when a handwritten manuscript of "The Divine Comedy" resurfaces through the Vatican and falls into the clutches of a New York mob boss. As Tosches endeavors to authenticate the manuscript, he becomes ensnared in a treacherous underworld, where he is either aided or opposed by Jason Momoa, Gerard Butler, Gal Gadot, and others. Martin Scorsese plays a pivotal role as Dante's mentor, a "brilliant" character as described by Schnabel, while Al Pacino and John Malkovich complete the star-studded ensemble cast.
The film's journey to the big screen was a lengthy one. Johnny Depp's production company, Infinitum Nihil, acquired the rights to Tosches' book back in 2008, with Depp originally intended to star. Schnabel, renowned for his art history biopics "Basquiat" and "At Eternity's Gate," boarded the project in 2011. However, it wasn't until 2023 that Isaac joined the cast, replacing Depp, and production commenced.
Isaac revealed at a Venice press conference earlier on Wednesday that he was captivated by the film's "impossibility." "To read it and have no idea how one would bring it to life—that's what's so exhilarating about it," said the actor, who had already made a splash at the Venice festival with the world premiere of Guillermo del Toro's "Frankenstein," in which he co-starred. "Julian is a visionary, unlike any other artist working today or in history," he added.
In a mixed review, The Hollywood Reporter's critic described the film as an "ambitious, captivating, and occasionally flawed extravaganza" and a "wild ride that falls just short of its mark." Produced by DreamCrew Entertainment, MeMo Films, TWIN Productions, and Artofficial Productions, "In the Hand of Dante" is being distributed internationally by WME Independent.
Though a New York-born and Texas-raised artist, Schnabel is a local legend in Venice. He has exhibited at the Venice Biennale Art Exhibition five times (1980, 1982, 1993, 1997, and 2003) and premiered his directorial debut "Basquiat" here in 1996. His follow-up, "Before Night Falls," starring Javier Bardem as Cuban poet and novelist Reinaldo Arenas, won the Venice grand jury prize, while his most recent film, "At Eternity's Gate," saw Willem Dafoe take home the festival's best actor award.
Schnabel's busy day in Venice culminated with him accepting the Cartier Glory to the Filmmaker Award inside the city's iconic Sala Grande cinema just before the screening. This annual prize honors a film industry figure who has made an "especially original contribution to contemporary cinema." Past recipients include Ridley Scott, Wes Anderson, and Claude Lelouch.
The 2025 Venice Film Festival runs from August 27 to September 6.
