‘Being Maria,’ Starring Matt Dillon as Marlon Brando During Controversial ‘Last Tango in Paris’ Shoot, Secures U.S. Deal With Kino Lorber (EXCLUSIVE)
variety.comElsa Keslassy International Correspondent Kino Lorber has acquired North American distribution rights to “Being Maria,” a French movie revolving around the controversial production of Bernardo Bertolucci’s 1972 film “Last Tango in Paris.” Directed by Jessica Palud, the movie stars “Happening” breakout Anamaria Vartolomei as Maria Schneider and Matt Dillon as Marlon Brando. “Being Maria” had its world premiered at the Cannes Film Festival where it was the only female-directed film selected for the Premieres section.
It’s now playing at the American French Film Festival at the DGA. where Kino Lorber’s boss Richard Lorber will be receiving an honorary tribute over the weekend.
The movie charts the turbulent life and career of the late French actress Maria Schneider, who was a promising young actress struggling to break into film when she was cast by Bertolucci, then still rising as a face of Italian cinema, to star in “Last Tango in Paris” alongside an American superstar, Brando.
The experience turned into a nightmare for Schneider, who felt sexually exploited during the filming of a crude scene that she claimed was added to Bertolucci during the shoot.
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