‘Being Maria,’ Starring Matt Dillon as Marlon Brando During Controversial ‘Last Tango in Paris’ Shoot, Secures U.S. Deal With Kino Lorber (EXCLUSIVE)

As a seasoned movie buff who has spent countless hours immersed in the silver screen world, I must say that “Being Maria” piqued my interest from the moment I heard about it. The fact that it’s based on the life of Maria Schneider, a woman who bravely fought against the objectification of actresses in movies, makes it an essential watch for any film enthusiast.


Kino Lorber has gained the right to distribute “Being Maria,” a French film, across North America. This movie delves into the contentious making of Bernardo Bertolucci’s 1972 film, “Last Tango in Paris.

Under the direction of Jessica Palud, this film features Anamaria Vartolomei, who gained recognition in “Happening,” portraying Maria Schneider, and Matt Dillon taking on the role of Marlon Brando.

The movie titled ‘Being Maria’ made its debut at the Cannes Film Festival, being the sole female-directed film chosen for the Premieres section. Currently, it’s showing at the American French Film Festival at DGA, where Richard Lorber, head of Kino Lorber, will be honored over the weekend.

In my movie-loving perspective, I’d rephrase it like this: As a cinephile, I find myself delving into the compelling tale of Maria Schneider, a French actress whose life and career were marked by turbulence. On the brink of stardom, she found herself cast opposite Bertolucci, then an up-and-coming Italian director, in “Last Tango in Paris,” alongside the legendary Marlon Brando. However, this opportunity turned into a harrowing ordeal for Schneider, who felt sexually exploited during the filming of an explicit scene that she claimed was improvised on set by Bertolucci. After enduring this traumatic experience, Schneider became a vocal feminist advocate and dedicated the remainder of her career to combating the objectification of actresses in cinema.

From Maria’s point of view, the film is often referred to as a warning story that highlights the destructive effects of sexual violence portrayed on screen.

Lisa Schwartz from Kino Lorber commented that Jessica Palud’s biopic about Maria Schneider is deeply touching and remarkably relevant. The film offers an insightful perspective by focusing on the star of ‘Last Tango in Paris.’ Anamaria Vartolomei brilliantly portrays Maria with a delicate blend of subtlety and depth, while Matt Dillon delivers a powerful and authentic performance as Marlon Brando.

In 2025, Kino Lorber plans to debut the film initially, with subsequent releases for digital platforms, educational institutions, and personal home viewing.

The film titled ‘Being Maria’ was written by Palud and Laurette Polmanss, based on Vanessa Schneider’s memoir ‘My Cousin Maria Schneider.’ This movie stars Giuseppe Maggio, Yvan Attal, Céleste Brunnquell, and Marie Gillain. This week, Vanessa Schneider is participating in the American French Film Festival.

The agreement for “Being Maria” was worked out between Schwarz, the head of theatrical acquisitions and distribution at Kino Lorber, and Studiocanal.

Chloé Marquet, Studiocanal’s head of international sales for films and TV series, expressed her joy about partnering with Kino Lorber’s team. She looks forward to sharing Jessica Palud’s ‘Being Maria’ and Maria Schneider’s story with American viewers, following the overwhelmingly positive reception the film received from critics and industry at the Cannes Film Festival. Kino Lorber has consistently shown a remarkable knack for selecting the finest contemporary world cinema from prominent international film festivals, as well as for amplifying emerging voices in French cinema.

In my own words, I’m thrilled that ‘Being Maria’ is debuting in the trailblazing United States, a land where actresses have found their voices, and I’m grateful for the backing I receive from the exceptional teams at Kino Lorber, a distributor with a keen eye for French cinema.

The show titled ‘Being Maria’ was created by Marielle Duigou, jointly produced with Kristina Zimmerman and Christie Molia, and supervised in an executive capacity by Alex C. Lo.

This movie is produced by Les Films de Mina, Studiocanal, Moteur S’il Vous Plait in collaboration with Cinema Inutile, with OCS – Ciné + participating, and with the region Bretagne’s support, in partnership with CNC, Procirep, Angoa, and the Creative Europe – Media Programme of the European Union. Additionally, it is also associated with Cofimage 34.

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2024-11-01 07:48