Julian Schnabel’s In the Hand of Dante premiered out of competition at the Venice Film Festival to a warm reception, drawing an ovation that trade tallies placed between eight and nine-and-a-half minutes.
The 153-minute drama stars Oscar Isaac in a dual turn as both novelist Nick Tosches and Dante Alighieri, intercutting a contemporary criminal caper around a purported autograph manuscript of “The Divine Comedy” with scenes from the poet’s life. Festival materials describe a story that moves between centuries as Tosches, enlisted by a mafia figure, pursues authentication with the help of a volatile fixer named Louie.
The screening followed the presentation of Venice’s Cartier Glory to the Filmmaker prize to Schnabel, recognizing the painter-director’s contributions to cinema after features including “Before Night Falls,” “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly” and “At Eternity’s Gate.” Organizers said the honor was bestowed immediately before the film’s showing on the Lido.
Beyond ceremony, the premiere unfolded amid debate over casting choices linked to the Israel-Gaza war. Asked about calls to bar certain performers, Schnabel said there was “no reason to boycott actors,” arguing that creative decisions should be separated from political litmus tests. Festival leadership backed the principle of open dialogue while confirming the film’s inclusion.
Early responses noted the project’s operatic ambition and starry ensemble—among them Gal Gadot, Gerard Butler, Al Pacino, John Malkovich, Martin Scorsese and Jason Momoa—while pointing to split reactions on the film’s tone and sprawl. The official program credits Benjamin Clementine with the music and Roman Vasyanov with cinematography, underlining the package’s mix of high style and literary aspiration as Isaac’s two timelines converge on questions of art, faith and authorship.
