Martin Scorsese to play Dante Alighieri's mentor in Julian Schnabel’s film

Acclaimed filmmaker Martin Scorsese is set to take on a new role, this time in front of the camera. He will be starring as Italian poet Dante Alighieri’s mentor in Julian Schnabel’s upcoming film ‘In the Hand of Dante’. Martin’s role may be small, but it is set to be impactful as he plays an elderly sage who influenced Alighieri while he was writing ‘The Divine Comedy’.”

According to reports from variety.com, Martin, who will be honoured with Berlin Film Festival‘s honorary Golden Bear, has made a special appearance in several films by him and has often performed in movies by other makers. His diverse roles include essaying Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh and lending his voice to the loan shark pufferfish in ‘Shark Tale’.

Joining Martin in ‘In The Hand of Dante’ is British musician and actor Benjamin Clementine, who will not only contribute to the film’s score but also take on the role of a quintessentially grey character who seesaws between past and present. The film also features John Malkovich and Louis Cancelmi, who plays both a present-day hitman named Lefty and nobleman Guido da Polenta, who was Dante’s benefactor.

The film was shot largely in Italy, featuring breathtaking locations such as Sicily, Venice, Verona, Rome and Viterbo.

Martin Scorsese’s on-screen portrayal of Dante Alighieri’s mentor is sure to captivate audiences, and with the diverse and talented cast, ‘In The Hand of Dante’ is one to keep an eye out for in the upcoming year.