Pietro Marcello Depicts Legendary Actress Eleonora Duse in New Biopic
Shooting underway on “Duse,” starring Valeria Bruni Tedeschi and Noémie Merlant. The Match Factory handles international sales.
Italian auteur Pietro Marcello, known for his 2019 art-house hit “Martin Eden”, is filming “Duse,” a biopic about the iconic Italian stage actress Eleonora Duse (1858–1924). Valeria Bruni Tedeschi takes on the role of Duse, with Noémie Merlant (“Portrait of a Lady on Fire”) portraying her daughter.
The Match Factory has secured international rights and is launching sales at the Cannes Film Festival.
Duse was revered as one of the greatest actresses of her era, captivating audiences worldwide with her performances in works by playwrights like Gabriele D’Annunzio and Henrik Ibsen.
Marcello’s film focuses on Duse’s later years, when she returns to the stage at the age of 60, “her legendary career long over”, according to the synopsis.
Set against the backdrop of World War I and the rise of fascism, the synopsis describes Duse’s defiant return as a “revolutionary act”. Clinging to hope for a better future, she continues to make art despite the hardships, even if it means sacrificing her health and personal connections.
The Match Factory’s Michael Weber praises Marcello’s ability to breathe life into complex characters and his casting choices, highlighting the talents of Bruni Tedeschi and Merlant.
“Duse” is a co-production between Italian outfits Palomar and Avventurosa, and France’s Ad Vitam. This marks Marcello’s fifth collaboration with The Match Factory, following films like “For Lucio”, “Futura”, “Martin Eden” and “Lost and Beautiful”.
