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In the Hand of Dante is an upcoming drama movie featuring veteran director Martin Scorsese in a major supporting role. As the movie is set to premiere at the upcoming Venice Film Festival, a first look at Scorsese’s character was leaked online (via @SolaceCinema) with the filmmaker playing Dante Alighieri’s mentor.

According to a previous report from Variety, Scorsese won’t be playing himself in the movie like he did in the comedy-drama The Studio. Instead, he will play an old sage who influences Dante Alighieri while he is writing The Divine Comedy, which plays a key role in the movie. As a result, fans must be curious to learn about its release date, cast, and plot, and here is everything you need to know about In the Hand of Dante.

When Does In the Hand of Dante Release? Martin Scorsese in The Studio (Credits: AppleTV+).

In the Hand of Dante...

Julian Schnabel will receive the Cartier Glory to the Filmmaker Award at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, which runs from Aug. 27–Sept. 6. The festival made the announcement on Wednesday.

The Cartier Glory to the Filmmaker Award is “dedicated to a personality who has made a particularly original contribution to the contemporary film industry,” according to a release from the festival. Schnabel, director of “Basquiat,” “Before Night Falls” and “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly,” will be honored on Sept. 3, before the screening of his new film, “In the Hand of Dante,” starring Oscar Isaac, Gal Gadot, Gerard Butler, Al Pacino, John Malkovich, Martin Scorsese, Jason Momoa, Louis Cancelmi and Franco Nero. It is screening out of competition.

Oscar Isaac in “In the Hand of Dante” (courtesy of the Venice Film Festival)

Adapted from Nick Tosches’ novel of the same name by Louise Kugelberg and Schnabel, “In the Hand of Dante...

American artist and director Julian Schnabel (At Eternity’s Gate, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, Basquiat) will be honored with the Cartier Glory to the Filmmaker Award at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, Cartier and the Venice festival announced Wednesday. The annual prize recognizes a personality who has made an especially original contribution to contemporary cinema.

Schnabel will be honored at an award ceremony on Wednesday, September 3, at the Sala Grande, ahead of the out-of-competition screening of his new film In the Hand of Dante.

The crime drama follows a handwritten manuscript of Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy, which makes its way from the Vatican library to a mob boss in New York, who turns to writer and Dante expert Nick Tosches to verify its authenticity. Schnabel and Louise Kugelberg adapted the film from Tosches’ novel. Oscar Issac, playing Tosches and Dante, leads an ensemble cast that includes Gal Gadot,...

Julian Schnabel is set to receive the Cartier Glory to the Filmmaker Award at this year’s Venice Film Festival.

The American artist and director, whose films include “At Eternity’s Gate,” “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly” and “Basquiat,” will be in Venice with his latest directorial effort “In the Hand of Dante.” The film stars Oscar Isaac, Gal Gadot, Gerard Butler, Al Pacino, John Malkovich, Martin Scorsese, Jason Momoa, Louis Cancelmi and Franco Nero.

The annual award is given to “a personality who has made a particularly original contribution to the contemporary film industry,” according to a press release.

An awards ceremony at Venice for Schnabel will take place on Sept. 3 before the out-of-competition premiere of “In the Hand of Dante,” which is based on the book by Nick Tosches.

Schnabel’s long-gestating latest film revolves around a handwritten manuscript of Dante Alighieri’s poem “The Divine Comedy” that...

A first look has been revealed of Star Wars and Moon Knight star Oscar Isaac in the exciting upcoming historical crime thriller In the Hand of Dante (or just Hand of Dante). This new movie from director Julian Schnabel will follow a handwritten copy of Dante's "The Divine Comedy," as it passes through many ambitious hands.

Based on the book of the same name by Nick Tosches, In the Hand of Dante depicts two timelines, one focusing on Dante Alighieri himself and the other on a fictionalized Tosches when he is tasked with verifying the manuscript in the modern day. The adaptation also stars Gerard Butler, Jason Momoa, Al Pacino, Gal Gadot, and John Malkovich.

Isaac will be playing the dual role of both Dante in the past and Tosches in the present. Via X, a promotional image for the 82nd Venice International Film Festival of Oscar Isaac as Dante has been shared.

Venice Film Festival artistic director Alberto Barbera has unveiled a rich mix of buzzy movies with big stars — as well as smaller titles with awards potential — that will be vying for the Golden Lion during the event’s upcoming 82nd edition.

Hotly anticipated new works from Kathryn Bigelow, Guillermo Del Toro, Noah Baumbach, Mona Fastvold, Luca Guadagnino, Yorgos Lanthimos, Olivier Assayas, Park Chan-wook, Benny Safdie and more are set for Lido launches, making for a cornucopia of cinematic offerings.

As anticipated by Variety, big-name films premiering at Venice include Safdie’s “The Smashing Machine” from A24, featuring Dwayne Johnson as two-time UFC heavyweight champ Mark Kerr and Emily Blunt as his wife Dawn; Focus Features’ “Bugonia,” the latest collaboration between Yorgos Lanthimos and Emma Stone, who were last at the fest in 2023 with the Oscar-winning “Poor Things”; and Luca Guadagnino’s psychological drama “After the Hunt” starring Julia Roberts, Andrew Garfield and Ayo Edebiri.

It ought to go without saying, but you cannot grade all video games on the same bell curve.

What’s acceptable for a modestly budgeted indie, for instance, might not pass muster in the Aaa arena. Meanwhile, those working on lucrative franchise IPs —beholden to micromanaging financiers and the whims of shareholders who’ve never once picked up a controller in their lives — aren’t always afforded the creative autonomy that a solo developer enjoys when toiling away on a pet project in their kitchen. Of course, blockbuster productions do conversely benefit from being far better resourced, far better staffed and far better promoted. So, there are pros and cons!

Price point is another thing that often factors into the equation and should absolutely be taken into account if you’re hoping to give new releases a fair shake. After all, it’d be silly to pit a $70 Naughty Dog...

The isekai genre in anime has gained massive traction in recent years, with light novels and manga getting more and more attuned to it. There is a certain appeal that lies in a character being seen in a different world with completely different norms and features.

Sung Jinwoo | Credit: A-1 Pictures

Many assume isekai is exclusive to anime, but the truth is, the term might be Japanese, but it only talks about another world. Isekai in anime might be a limitation, but without knowing it, even a person who claims they haven’t watched any isekai anime has probably had contact with it.

Isekai: More than just an anime trope

Isekai means ‘another world,’ and that definition gives it a wide ambit that includes within it the world-hopping adventures that have been part of storytelling for centuries.

Be it the West or the East, there are tales that abound everywhere that are reminiscent of isekai,...

Today, the Fate/Grand Order mobile game welcomes a new Servant to the Grail War. Meet Pretender-class Servant Dante Alighieri, inspired by the author of The Divine Comedy. Dante is voiced by Shoya Chiba (Ko Minamoto in Toilet-bound Hanako-kun ) and designed by Witch Hat Atelier creator Kamome Shirahama. The artist has previously designed limited-edition Craft Essences for the game, including Treasure of the Caribbean and Faerie Kingdom's Summer Vacation. Related: A Brief History of the Fate Series Two new trailers currently showcase what's to come in this year's Chaldea Boys Collection: His Name is Dante ~Hotel DeNovo Concierge~ . The first spotlights Dante himself as the latest in a long line of author Servants, while the second is the event's introductory movie. Related: Fate/strange Fake TV Anime to Stream on Crunchyroll There is no word yet on when Dante or his introductory event will be available on global servers. Crunchyroll currently...

Devil May Cry Anime Adaptation (Photo Credit – Netflix)

Among the many anticipated Netflix series set to release in 2025, the animated adaptation of Devil May Cry has generated a lot of buzz among video game fans, especially with the announcement of its release date, April 3, 2025.

The Devil May Cry series is a video game franchise developed and published by Capcom, which started in 2001 when the original Devil May Cry was released on the PlayStation 2. Since then, the series has become a seminal fixture of action gaming, with the lead character, Dante, becoming a pop culture icon in his own right. Read on to learn more about the iconic series soon coming to Netflix.

Devil May Cry comes from the creators of Resident Evil

Devil May Cry comes from the creators of the Resident Evil franchise. The original 2001 game originated as a prototype of Resident Evil 4. Director Hideki Kamiya had the...

Found footage is hard to do right. At one point, the trope was so oversaturated in horror that audiences often dismissed it outright as ham-fisted and tacked on. In 2014, two archaeology-heavy, found-footage horror movies were released. John Erick Dowdle’s As Above, So Belowis widely beloved. Inspired by Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy and actually filmed in the Parisian catacombs, As Above, So Below felt fresh and unique. At the same time, Grégory Levasseur’s 2014 debut, The Pyramid was released to significantly less fanfare. At times tone-deaf to Egypt’s then-current political climate, along with rushed pacing and clunky dialogue, The Pyramid wins no brownie points, but the film is not without merit. The Pyramid pulls no punches with its fun, gory death scenes and has some entertaining twists. An easy, b-movie popcorn watch, don’t write The Pyramid off just yet.

Fans have just received their first look at the upcoming film that will reunite Star Wars actors Oscar Isaac and Mark Hamill in a not-so-distant galaxy a long, long time ago. The King of Kings is an animated feature that puts a somewhat sci-fi twist on the story of the original miracle worker, and the film's official teaser trailer reveals an initial glimpse of Isaac's transformation into the Son of God Himself.

Directed by renowned VFX specialist Seong-ho Jang, and produced by South Korea's Mofac Animation, The King of Kings adds an intriguing element of time travel to an otherwise familiar Biblical tale. Based off of a Charles Dickens short story, the film follows none other than the 19th century author himself — along with his son, Walter — as they inadvertently stumble upon a multidimensional portal and end up coming face-to-face with history's most talked-about celebrity. Jesus isn't the only...

In Hollywood, several new directors face rejection from big stars because of a lack of trust and other factors involved in making a film. Denzel Washington, one of the veteran stars of the industry, came to regret his decision.

Brad Pitt as David Mills in 1995’s Se7en | Credits: Arnold Kopelson Productions

It wasn’t just Denzel Washington, however, who passed on David Fincher’s 1995 classic Se7en. Before Brad Pitt, Fincher had met several actors for the role of Detective Mills. He was met with some ludicrous reasons in return.

Gene Hackman passed on David Fincher’s Se7en

David Fincher is a veteran name in Hollywood now, but back in the day, he started out as a humble director just like everyone else. Fincher had his fair share of rejections, especially with a script as uncommon as that of Se7en.

Gene Hackman also passed on the role in Se...

With his latest album Unreal Unearthed: Unending finally out in full after a year of piecemeal releases, it's clear that singer-songwriter Hozier has once again composed some of the sexiest, bluesiest rock and roll out there. Yet there is so much more to this 6'6" Irishman and his music than there appears to be on the surface.

Behind the disarming smile and charming demeanor, Hozier is a genuinely brilliant songwriter with a deep understanding of history; that's unsurprising, given his being the son of an artist and a musician who studied music education at an institution as august as Trinity College Dublin. His nearly twenty years of songwriting experience are laid bare on Unreal Unearthed, as the album delves into depths of emotion just as easily as it does into pointed statements about historical trends in geopolitics.

Yet for all Hozier's artistry and eloquence, many listeners remain unaware of the...

In Dante Alighieri’s Inferno, the author describes Virgil and Dante’s grueling journey through hell and purgatory as they encounter horrifying creatures and weather revolting conditions. They develop an enduring sense of trust and care between one another throughout the poem. But when they reach heaven, Virgil is barred from entering with Dante. After all that, they must say goodbye. It’s a dissatisfying ending — one that the singer-songwriter (and Dante enthusiast) Hozier reimagines on the devotional epic “Hymn to Virgil.”

The choir-backed record considers an alternate conclusion in...

After conquering the Dceu, riding shotgun in the Fast and Furious franchise, and taking hackers to task in Netflix’s Heart of Stone, Gal Gadot is locked into a race against time in director Kevin Madonald’s The Runner, an upcoming thriller set up at Amazon MGM Studios. David Kosse produces through his newly established Rockwood Pictures, with Amazon MGM Studios holding the worldwide rights.

Macdonald, whose films include One to One: John & Yoko, The Last King of Scotland, The Mauritanian, and more, directs The Runner from a script by Mark Gibson. According to Deadline, the plot finds Gadot playing “a high-powered attorney who must race through London, following the cryptic commands of a mysterious Caller, as she fights against time to save her abducted son.”

Before Gal Gadot laced up her sneakers for The Runner, she played the Evil Queen in Disney’s live-action adaptation of its first animated classic,...

Hazbin Hotel has taken the world by storm with its hellish story of redemption and endlessly catchy songs. Charlie Morningstar and her gang of repentant sinners are delightful characters who are as heartwarming as they are raunchy. Created by Vivienne Medrano, Hazbin Hotel creates a new afterlife story that grips audiences from the outset.

One of the best things about Hazbin Hotel is its attention to detail. The series never misses a chance to slip in a subtle detail for astute fans to notice, whether specific biblical references, puns, or callbacks to popular music. While some references are more overt than others, there are still many surprising aspects of Hazbin Hotel that fans are still discovering.

Updated by Alexandra Locke on November 10, 2024: Hazbin Hotel was a hit show when it came out in January 2024 and has retained its popularity. The animated series is so beloved due to its wonderful characters and clever references.

Jason Momoa's upcoming film, "In the Hand of Dante," will be his first proper drama. "In the Hand of Dante" reunites Momoa with Oscar Isaac from "Dune," and the actors should have great chemistry. The drama film will showcase Momoa's intense acting skills in a departure from his past action-heavy roles.

Jason Momoa has made 28 films in his acting career, and one of his upcoming movies with Al Pacino will mark a major first for him. Jason Momoa has had a very successful career as an actor, and he's appeared in 28 films already. Momoa's various films have helped make Jason Momoa's net worth as high as it is, and they've made him one of the most successful actors in Hollywood. Momoa has even been part of some major film franchises, like the Aquaman movies and, most recently, the Fast and Furious franchise. One of his next films, however, could...

The upcoming Venice Film Festival is shaping up to be a star-studded affair with Lady Gaga, Joaquin Phoenix, Angelina Jolie, Daniel Craig, Johnny Depp, George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Gal Gadot and Ana de Armas among top Hollywood talents likely to be launching high-profile titles from the Lido.

Though festival chief Alberto Barbera has yet to see several submitted works that are likely to make the cut, a clutch of globally buzzy movies have already secured a coveted Venice berth, though some of the more mainstream entries will probably be bowing out-of-competition.

“Joker 2: Folie à Deux,” Todd Phillips’ edgy musical sequel to his 2019 Golden Lion prizewinning “Joker,” starring Gaga and Phoenix, is a competition shoo-in, along with Pablo Larraín’s Maria Callas biopic “Maria,” starring Jolie in the title role.

Larraín’s previous two tragic female biopics — “Spencer” starring Kristen Stewart as Princess Diana and “Jackie” with Natalie Portman as...

Dante Alighieri's legendary "Inferno," the first of three parts making up his epic poem The Divine Comedy, has served as inspiration or a direct reference for countless stories across all mediums for its depiction of Hell and the journey closer to God. In 2024, the concept of descending into the depths of despair and sin was once again invoked for The First Omen, director Arkasha Stevenson's prequel to the 1976 horror classic The Omen. Starring Nell Tiger Free, the film follows an American nun-in-training named Margaret who arrives in Rome, only to find her faith challenged as she uncovers a conspiracy to bring about the Antichrist. Ahead of the film's digital release, Collider can share an exclusive sneak peek that sees Stevenson drawing comparisons from Margaret's quest to bring the evil to light to Dante's journey through the nine circles of Hell.

Wirt & Greg's journey in Over the Garden Wall mirrors Dante's Inferno's structure, with key parallels in each episode's structure. Characters in the show, like Beatrice & the Beast, mirror allegories to characters in Dante's Inferno, adding depth to the story. Over the Garden Wall cleverly weaves elements of Dante's Inferno into its narrative, offering a unique and insightful viewing experience.

Over the Garden Wall is a beloved animated series that teaches the audience valuable audiences, but fans might not know how similar the main character's quest is to Dante's Inferno. The cartoon miniseries was well-received by fans and critics because of its witty yet macabre stylings and position as an autumnal viewing staple. Created by Patrick McHale, the series chronicles Wirt and his younger half-brother Greg as they journey to find their way home through treacherous woods called the Unknown.

Wirt and Greg are one of the best cartoon siblings in recent memory.

Heatseeking filmmaker Olmo Schnabel has signed for representation with WME, and with Black Bear for management.

Schnabel’s breakout directorial effort “Pet Shop Days” played both the Venice International Film Festival and SXSW this cycle, scoring distribution from Utopia for a 2024 theatrical release. Starring Jack Irv, Darío Yazbek Bernal, Willem Dafoe and Peter Sarsgaard, the film tells of a drug lord scion on the run from his powerful family. Slumming it in New York in a haze of sex and drugs, he seduces an equally lost young man and pulls him into the city’s underbelly.

The provocative debut also hit festivals in Chicago, Montclair, Morelia, Santa Barbara and Sarasota. Schnabel was also awarded the Leffest Lisboa Film Festival’s Tap Revelation Award.

Schnabel just wrapped “In the Hand of Dante” for production shop Twin, which stars Oscar Isaac, Jason Momoa, Gerard Butler and Gal Gadot. The film is a...

Embark on a mesmerizing journey through the life and literary legacy of Dante Alighieri as “Dante: Inferno to Paradise” unveils Season 1, titled “Part Two: Resurrection.” Set to air at 8:00 Pm on PBS this Tuesday, March 19, 2024, this episode delves into Dante’s life in exile and explores the concluding parts of his magnum opus, “The Divine Comedy.”

Viewers are invited to witness the intricate narrative unfold as the documentary navigates through the challenges and triumphs of Dante’s life, offering a nuanced perspective on his artistic and political influences. The episode promises a captivating exploration of Dante’s profound impact on literature and his enduring legacy.

Additionally, “Part Two: Resurrection” sheds light on the fate of Dante’s masterpiece after his death, providing a comprehensive view of the enduring power of “The Divine Comedy” throughout the ages. Tune in at 8:00 Pm on PBS for a captivating blend of history,...

This Monday at 8:00 Pm on PBS, viewers are invited to embark on a literary journey with “Dante: Inferno to Paradise.” The first episode, “Part One: The Inferno,” delves into the early years of the renowned Italian poet Dante Alighieri. The show provides an insightful exploration of Dante’s life, focusing on his pivotal decision to commence the monumental work, “The Divine Comedy,” in the year 1306.

As the clock ticks towards 8:00 Pm, audiences can expect a captivating narrative that unveils the motivations and challenges faced by Dante during this significant period. “Dante: Inferno to Paradise” promises to be a visual and intellectual feast, offering a deep dive into the origins of one of the most influential literary works in history. This episode not only sheds light on the creative process behind “The Divine Comedy” but also paints a vivid picture of the cultural and historical context that shaped Dante’s masterpiece.

Filmmaker, Martin Scorsese is famous for his tough, sometimes violent portrayals of American life. Since the 1970s, he’s directed lots of movies that have made him a big deal in the film world.

His impressive body of work includes iconic movies such as Raging Bull (1980), Goodfellas (1990), Gangs of New York (2002), The Departed (2006), Hugo (2011), The Wolf of Wall Street (2013), and more. In his recent film, Killers of the Flower Moon, Scorsese keeps up his trend of adapting interesting true stories into captivating movies.

Martin Scorsese, Leonardo DiCaprio, Lily Gladstone, and Robert De Niro on the sets of Killers of the Flower Moon

The filmmaker is now stepping away from his usual role to act in a film with a cast that is as impressive as Oppenheimer‘s, which includes Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Robert Downey Jr., Florence Pugh, and many more.

SUGGESTEDBoth Christopher Nolan and Martin Scorsese Have the Same...

Martin Scorsese is reviving an entertaining – if relatively short – acting career in Julian Schnabel’s new movie. More below:

In a moving interview with Deadline last year, director Martin Scorsese expressed that, at 80 years old, he was increasingly worried about running out of time.

Well, if 2024’s anything to go by, he’s certainly making the most of the time that he has. On top of announcing his upcoming (and untitled) film about a certain Jesus Christ and making a Squarespace advert with his daughter, Variety has revealed that Scorsese has been cast in the role of Dante’s mentor in Julian Schnabel’s upcoming crime mystery In The Hand Of Dante.

The veteran director/TikTok star apparently plays “a small but powerful role” in the film as “an elderly sage who influences Dante Alighieri while he is writing The Divine Comedy.”

In The Hand Of Dante is being produced independently,...

Acclaimed filmmaker Martin Scorsese will soon be seen playing Italian poet Dante Alighieri’s mentor in Julian Schnabel’s upcoming film ‘In the Hand of Dante’. Martin has a small but an impactful role. He will be playing an elderly sage who influenced Alighieri while he is writing ‘The Divine Comedy’ in Julian Schnabel’s crime mystery ‘In the Hands of Dante’, reports 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.

He essayed Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh in a segment of Akira Kurosawa’s 1990 film ‘Dreams’ and also performed as voice talent as the loan shark pufferfish in ‘Shark Tale’.

‘In The Hand of Dante’ also has British musician and actor Benjamin Clementine, who along with contributing to the film’s score will...

Martin Scorsese will soon be seen on the big screen, and he won’t be playing himself.

The master director, who is being feted with Berlin Film Festival’s honorary Golden Bear on Tuesday night, has a small but powerful role playing an elderly sage who influences Dante Alighieri while he is writing “The Divine Comedy” in Julian Schnabel’s upcoming crime mystery “In the Hands of Dante.”

Though Scorsese has cameoed in many of his movies and occasionally performed in films by other directors – he played Vincent van Gogh in a segment of Akira Kurosawa’s 1990 film “Dreams” and also performed as voice talent as the loan shark pufferfish in “Shark Tale” – this role is likely to be among his meatiest.

“He is extraordinary in the film,” Schnabel tells Variety, calling Scorsese’s part “a brilliant, important role” and adding: “You can’t take your eyes off him.”

Two...

Created and directed by Vivienne Medrano, Hazbin Hotel is the co-production of animation studios SpindleHorse Toons and Bento Box in association with A24 and Amazon Studios. The main cast includes Erika Henningsen as Princess Charlotte "Charlie" Morningstar, Stephanie Beatriz as Vaggie, Blake Roman as Angel Dust, and Amir Talai as Alastor the Radio Demon, with Alex Brightman playing both Sir Pentious and the angel Adam, Jeremy Jordan as Lucifer Morningstar, and Keith David as Husk. Hazbin Hotel is a smash hit adult cartoon that, unlike its contemporaries, is really more of a workplace drama set in the Biblical Hell. The titular Hazbin Hotel is a hotel where Hell's denizens are rehabilitated in the hopes of making them worthy of moving from eternal damnation to Heaven.

Every religious culture around the world has a version of the underworld where damned souls go to suffer the consequences of their sinful lives on Earth.

Aura Battler Dunbine is one of the earliest prototypes of isekai anime, paving the way for the genre's popularity today. Fushigi Yugi blends Chinese mythology with the protagonist entering a novel, setting it apart from the European-inspired worlds of isekai. .hack//Sign is an early example of the "trapped in a virtual world" concept, focusing more on character development than action sequences.

Despite the recent popularity of isekai anime, the concept of "entering another world" has been present throughout different facets of fiction for many years. One of the oldest known examples came in the 14th century with Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy. Centuries later, titles like Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Peter Pan, and Howl's Moving Castle further explored the idea. One of the earliest prototypes in anime, however, was 1983's Aura Battler Dunbine.

The term "isekai" literally translates to "another world", and is a subgenre related to portal fantasy.

A dark theory suggests that The Breakfast Club is set in purgatory, with the characters in detention as a metaphor for their journey to find peace. The theory adds a deeper meaning to the characters' struggles and the bond they form, as they navigate through hell and purgatory towards heaven. The theory leaves a plot hole regarding how the characters died, but their reasons for detention could provide clues related to incomplete memories or traumatic events leading to their deaths.

John Hughes’ The Breakfast Club has one of the most iconic endings in the history of teen comedies, but a theory gives a twist to it and a darker meaning. In 1985, John Hughes continued his reign in the world of teen comedies with The Breakfast Club, a coming-of-age comedy-drama movie that went on to become one of the most influential movies of the decade. The Breakfast Club took the audience...

Julian Schnabel is in Italy on the set of his star-studded crime mystery “In the Hand of Dante,” for which he and Louise Kugelberg, his wife and close creative collaborator, have been narratively and literally criss-crossing between the 14th and 21st centuries in locations including Sicily, Venice, Verona and Rome.

Besides the film’s previously announced leads — Oscar Isaac, Gal Gadot, Jason Momoa and Gerard Butler — “Hand of Dante” will also see British musician and actor Benjamin Clementine (“Dune”) playing a quintessentially demonic character who seesaws between past and present. Clementine also contributes to the film’s score. Other A-list recruits comprise John Malkovich, Al Pacino and Louis Cancelmi (“Killers of the Flower Moon”) who plays both a present-day hitman named Lefty and nobleman Guido da Polenta, who was Dante’s benefactor.

Julian Schnabel, speaking to Variety on a spectacular Rome set – a palatial villa on a hill overlooking the...

"As Above, So Below" is one of the better found-footage horror films to emerge in the wake of the one-two punch that was "Cloverfield" in 2008 and "Paranormal Activity" in 2009. Where many of its peers struggled to put a fresh spin on the subgenre's tropes, the Dowdle Brothers' 2014 flick is a pulpy Indiana Jones-lite action-adventure that cleverly incorporates mythical elements like the philosopher's stone -- or, as we uncultured Yanks call it, the sorcerer's stone -- and the Nine Circles of Hell from Dante Alighieri's epic 14th-century poem "Divine Comedy." Admittedly, it doesn't go so far as to reinvent the found-footage wheel, nor does it overcome some of the format's worst tendencies. But it does breathe a little more life into that formula, especially when the action inevitably devolves into people incessantly shaking the camera as they run screaming for their lives.

Of course, the biggest weapon in the film's arsenal is its setting.

Major Hollywood superstars Oscar Isaac, Jason Momoa, and Gerard Butler will unite in the upcoming crime thriller In the Hand of Dante. The film will follow the original manuscript for Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy, weaving together two stories set in the 14th century and 2001. Isaac, Momoa, and Butler have other exciting projects in the pipeline, including Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, and Den of Thieves 2: Pantera.

Major Hollywood superstars Oscar Isaac, Jason Momoa, and Gerard Butler will unite in the upcoming crime thriller In the Hand of Dante, from Academy Award nominee Julian Schnabel and with seminal filmmaker Martin Scorsese on board as an executive producer. Now you’ve had enough time to pick up all those names that were just dropped, we can reveal that In the Hand of Dante will follow the trio in the tale of the original manuscript for the...

Gal Gadot and Oscar Isaac are hard at work at their new movie!

The 38-year-old Wonder Woman actress was seen aboard a water taxi while filming scenes for the upcoming In the Hand of Dante on Tuesday afternoon (October 10) in Venice, Italy.

Oscar, 44, was seen getting a few notes from director Julian Schnabel as they prepared to film scenes at an outdoor restaurant.

Keep reading to find out more…

Julian has been developing the project for over a decade after Johnny Depp originally brought him the book. He is no longer starring in the project through, with Oscar taking over his role as Nick Tosches, who is the author of the novel.

Back in 2011, IndieWire reported that the movie “revolves around Dante’s masterwork “The Divine Comedy,” and interweaves two separate stories, one set in 14th century Sicily, Italy featuring the legendary poet Dante Alighieri, and another set in the...

Jason Momoa, Oscar Isaac, and Gal Gadot are hard at work on their upcoming movie In the Hand of Dante and we have some action-packed photos from set!

The three actors were seen batting it out while filming a scene on the roof of a building on Saturday (October 7) in Venice, Italy.

Oscar was seen tied up with a gag around his mouth while Jason and Gal had their guns pointed at each other.

Director Julian Schnabel has been developing the project for over a decade after Johnny Depp originally brought him the book. He is no longer starring in the project through, with Oscar taking over his role as Nick Tosches, who is the author of the novel.

Back in 2011, IndieWire reported that the movie “revolves around Dante’s masterwork “The Divine Comedy,” and interweaves two separate stories, one set in 14th century Sicily, Italy featuring the legendary poet Dante Alighieri,...

Warning: This article contains Spoilers for The Nun II.

The Nun II introduces a major new protagonist, Saint Lucy, a historical Roman Christian martyr from the 4th century. The movie explores the significance of Saint Lucy's eyes and their mythical status, with claims of magical powers and violent incidents associated with them. Sister Irene and Lorraine Warren, both characters from The Conjuring franchise, are revealed to belong to Saint Lucy's bloodline, connecting the movies to a larger purpose.

All its ambitious supernatural theatrics aside, The Conjuring franchise has always entertained historical connections, and its 2023 spin-off The Nun II also interestingly shares real history. The first Nun movie dealt with Sister Irene who, along with a priest, sought to uncover a dark secret in 1950s-era Romania. The title alluded to the Demon Nun, one of the many terrifying incarnations that the Biblican demon Valak takes on. Valak and his Demon Nun...

“Meow, meow, meow … meow, meow,” Doja Cat told Emma Chamberlain before heading into her first-ever Met Gala on Monday evening, delving into detail about her intense creative process to completely transform into a glamorized version of Karl Lagerfeld’s beloved cat, Choupette. She has such a way with words and even more of a way with fashion.

In a custom, floor-length Oscar de la Renta dress complete with ears built into the top of the gown’s head covering, the singer and rapper leaned fully into the kind of pop...

Celebrate Valentine’s Day in Hell with DreadXP and developer Pollaris Studios’ Red Tape, which is out now on PC via Steam. And hey, for those of you looking to get that special someone a gift, Red Tape is enjoying a 10 discount from now until February 21st.

Red Tape tells the hellish tale of an angel who was subjected to damnation due to a paperwork error. Now, in order to right this egregious wrong, you must traverse the nine circles of Hell to get an audience with Old Scratch himself: The Devil. Taking notes from Dante Alighieri’s “The Divine Comedy”, and originally conceived as a Ludum Dare Gamejam entry, Pollaris Studios’ Red Tape takes the idiom to literal lengths.

You’ll have to run, jump, queue, and experience corporate culture so hellish, you’ll be begging for a trip to the Dmv. As if that weren’t enough, all...

Doja Cat’s Planet Her era has been on autopilot since the musician last leaned into actively promoting singles from the hit-filled record, but her recent ventures into fashion have had an otherworldly presence on their own. Ahead of the Schiaparelli Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2023 show in Paris, Doja Cat spent nearly five hours having 30,000 ruby red Swarovski crystals applied all over her body by hand.

Stepping into the show, the singer was unrecognizable only to those who haven’t yet made themselves familiar with the boost of creative freedom...

Citing 19th Century patriotic poetry and Mussolini-era writers and philosophers, the freshly appointed culture minister of Italy’s new right-wing government has promised a new era for the country’s cultural sector and revealed he wants to reform state funding for the performances arts.

Gennaro Sangiuliano is among 24 ministers in the new government of Giorgia Meloni, who was sworn in as Italian prime minister on Sunday, three-and-a-half weeks after her far-right Brothers of Italy party (Fratelli d’Italia) swept to victory in general elections.

Sangiuliano arrives from state broadcaster Rai, where he worked since 2003, rising through the ranks to become editor-in-chief of news programming at Italian state channel Rai 2 in 2018.

He replaces Dario Franceschini of the centre-left Democratic Party, who was Italy’s longest-serving minister of culture, and the TV and film worlds are now waiting to see what this means for the sectors.

The new minister told Rome...

Italy’s Minerva Pictures has taken international sales on veteran director Pupi Avati’s Dante Alighieri biopic “Dante” starring Sergio Castellitto as the Florentine bard.

Minerva will be introducing “Dante” to buyers at the Venice Film Festival’s informal market and then at Rome’s Mia Market in October. Pic is set for release in Italy on Sept. 29 via Rai Cinema’s 01 Distribution.

Over the course of his long career, Avati has shot more than 40 films in a wide range of genres, including the cult horror pic “The House with Laughing Windows”; romancer “The Heart Is Elsewhere,” which went to Cannes; the biopic “Bix” about American trumpet player Bix Beiderbecke; psychological drama “Giovanna’s Father” with Alba Rohrwacher; and the 2019 thriller “Il Signor Diavolo,” to name a few.

Castellitto, an Italian A-lister who starred with Penelope Cruz in “Don’t Move,” which he also directed, plays the Renaissance poet during the...

Lucca Comics & Games to go ahead in-person from October 29th to November 1st in the historic town of Lucca, Italy.

To rebehold the stars: light is the claim of the 55th year of Lucca Comics & Games festival; honouring Dante Alighieri, the poet and philospher, by celebrating the 700th anniversary of his death and Dante’s Divine Comedy sets the tone for the returning festival – a community event that not only produced culture but creates a place where people can share experiences by occupying and interacting with and within a unique and monumental city. Light is the synthesis of this new Lucca Comics & Games, which signals a passage from dark to light, and paves a road to a new kind of normal. Visitors will go back to meeting creators of universes that have been an integral part of the festival – comics, games, storytelling, modern mythologies and big and small industries represented in these worlds.

The Venice Film Festival will honor Oscar-winning Italian actor/director Roberto Benigni with its 2021 Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement.

Benigni, whose “Life Is Beautiful” – which he co-wrote, directed and starred in – won three Oscars in 1999, including best actor, recently returned to the big screen playing Geppetto in Matteo Garrone’s live-action adaptation of “Pinocchio.”

“Pinocchio,” which was a box office champ in Italy in 2019, has been recently released in the U.S. by Roadside Attractions and is nominated for 2021 Oscars in the best costume design and makeup and hairstyling categories.

Benigni’s last directorial effort is “The Tiger and the Snow,” in 2005, in which he also starred. In recent years the beloved Italian showman has been active with his stage adaptation of Dante’s “Divine Comedy,” which toured in Italy and around the world.

In praising Benigni Venice artistic director Alberto Barbera noted that “few artists have equaled his ability to combine explosive comic timing,...

As Italy’s film and TV industry forges ahead after bearing the brunt of the pandemic in 2020, the Filming Italy — Los Angeles fest, which is a bridgehead between Italy and Hollywood, is pulling out all the stops to drive and promote the country’s restart effort.

After Filming Italy miraculously managed to hold its sister shindig as a physical edition on the island of Sardinia last summer, the upcoming March 18-21 Los Angeles event will be mostly online. But going virtual has just prompted Italian marketing guru Tiziana Rocca, a longtime Italian industry promoter, to double her efforts.

This year the former Taormina Film Festival general manager is serving up twice the number of titles — a selection of more than 50 features, TV skeins, docs and shorts — and a marathon medley of 25 master classes, starting with Edoardo Ponti, director of Oscar-buzzed Sophia Loren-starrer “The Life Ahead,” in conversation with Diane Warren,...

When you hear the name Dr. Hannibal Lecter, a few things spring to mind—and none of them are likely to involve Italian poet Dante Alighieri or opera. Of course there’s good reason for this, with Lecter’s exotic cooking ingredients superseding his gentler affectations. But even so, when author Thomas Harris first imagined how the character might move in the wild for the novel Hannibal, it was with baroque glee he unleashed the doctor in Florence: Italy’s Renaissance city and Dante’s medieval stomping grounds.

Director Ridley Scott similarly understood that secret recipe. His film version of Hannibal relishes every Italian colonnade Anthony Hopkins walks under, or the way the shadow of the statue of David casts darkness on its star’s face, often as he stands in the same spot where men were hanged or immolated centuries ago. In its better moments, Scott’s movie savors...

Within European literature, there are many landmark moments which have set the tone and inspired many works over centuries, and will likely continue to do given their timeless themes, characters and settings. Among those texts, we find Dante Alighieri’s impactful verse epic “Divine Comedy”, the story of a man who ventures into hell, accompanied by Vergil, the famous Roman poet, and observes how the sinners are tortured and made to pay for their deeds on earth. Its impact on philosophy and literature as well as popular culture cannot be measured, especially due to the way Alighieri describes the hierarchy of the underworld as well as the punishments of the sinners. Apart from those types of media already mentioned, its world and characters have also inspired video games such as “Dante’s Inferno” and the parallel release of “Dante’s Inferno: An Animated Epic”, a feature directed by many filmmakers, each...

This Walking Dead article contains spoilers.

Virgil, Kevin Carroll’s character on The Walking Dead season 10, is aptly named. After all, the character shares a name with the Roman poet who led Dante Alighieri through the nine circles of hell in the 14th-century epic poem Dante’s Inferno. Like Dante before her, Michonne experiences her own version of Hell at the hands of The Walking Dead‘s Virgil with the help of a hallucinogen.

While Virgil means to give Michonne some peace with his drug-laced tea by showing her “heaven,” the katanna-wielding badass has to take the long way around, first making her way through an alternate life where she never saved Andrea in season 3, never joined Rick and Daryl, became a Savior instead, and died at the wrong end of her beloved’s revolver. Michonne tells Virgil that he showed her Hell. But like in Inferno, the trip yields knowledge and wisdom for Michonne,...

This Walking Dead article contains spoilers.

“What We Become” is the weirdest episode of The Walking Dead season 10 so far. Not only is it Michonne’s final episode on the show, but it’s a strangely self-contained and quiet one. It also introduces a whole new group of survivors as well as a research lab of unknown purpose. But all of that pales in comparison to the episode’s most controversial segment: a hallucinogen-induced trip to an alternate timeline where Michonne never saved Andrea, setting off a chain of events that shows how things could have turned out completely different for the heroine.

It’s not surprising that this episode is so trippy, considering it features a journey with a character named Virgil, who shares a name with the Roman poet who led Dante Alighieri through the nine circles of hell in the 14th-century epic poem Dante’s Inferno. Like Dante before her,...

Chris Cummins Jan 24, 2020

We're revealing all the secrets of Chilling Adventures of Sabrina's third season in our easter eggs guide.

This Chilling Adventures of Sabrina article contains nothing but spoilers. We have a spoiler-free review right here if you prefer.

Frequent visits to hell! Pagans! Ice Cream! Cheerleading! Chilling Adventures of Sabrina season 3 truly has it all. We've already gone on record saying how we think that this new batch of episodes is the series' best yet. Over the course of these eight installments, the show upends not only what we know about how magic works in the Archieverse, but also takes characters into new directions—blowing apart existing relationships and setting up new adversities. It's all compelling stuff to say the least, but to truly enjoy all of the season's nuances require multiple viewings. We participated in just that, and along the way noticed tons of easter eggs and...