“A cautionary tale about a naïve and powerless young talent abused in the name of art,
as well as the agonizing aftermath of her maltreatment… the film resonates because
the central topic is so of the moment”
– Alissa Simon, Variety
“More relevant than ever. [Vartolomei] really is stunning here, gaining our sympathy for the ringer Maria was put through and her courage in speaking out… Dillon was brave to take on such an icon as Brando, a true hero figure among actors, and fortunately he nails it.”
– Pete Hammond, Deadline
Kino Lorber has acquired North American distribution rights to Jessica Palud’s sophomore feature Being Maria, a moving portrait of the turbulent life and career of the late French actress Maria Schneider, starring Happening breakout Anamaria Vartolomei as the Last Tango in Paris star and Matt Dillon as Marlon Brando. The film will be released theatrically by Kino Lorber in 2025, followed by a digital, educational, and home video release.
Being Maria made its World Premiere at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, where it was the only female-directed film selected for the Premieres section. Directed by Jessica Palud (Revenir) and written by Palud and Laurette Polmanss, the film is loosely adapted from Vanessa Schneider's memoir My Cousin Maria Schneider, and co-stars Giuseppe Maggio, Yvan Attal, Céleste Brunnquell, and Marie Gillain, alongside Vartolomei and Dillon.
Maria is a promising young actress struggling to break into film. When an emerging Italian director casts her to headline his new film alongside an American superstar, what seems like the opportunity of her dreams turns out to be the start of a living nightmare. The actress was Maria Schneider, and the now infamous film was Bernardo Bertolucci's Last Tango in Paris. Being Maria traces the events of Maria Schneider’s life before and after the controversial production and wrenching fallout of Bertolucci's film – a landmark that made Schneider an icon while locking her into a sexualized image she never could escape. Centering Maria’s perspective for the first time, Jessica Palud has crafted a stunning cautionary tale that, more than 50 years after the events, finally gives voice to one of the first victims of sexual violence in cinema who dared to speak out but was never heard.
The deal for Being Maria was negotiated by Kino Lorber Head of Theatrical Acquisitions and Distribution Lisa Schwartz and Studiocanal.
“Jessica Palud has crafted a moving, deeply resonant biopic of Maria Schneider,” said Kino Lorber’s Lisa Schwartz. “By centering the Last Tango in Paris star's perspective, the film tells a story that feels more timely and relevant than ever. Anamaria Vartolomei is a true breakout performer, bringing Maria to life with nuance and complexity, and Matt Dillon delivers a compelling and fully embodied performance as Marlon Brando. We're proud to be sharing this film with North American audiences.”
Chloé Marquet, Studiocanal Head of International Sales for Films and TV Series, said, “We’re delighted to partner with Kino Lorber’s fantastic team to bring Jessica Palud’s Being Maria and Maria Schneider’s journey to American audience after the amazing responses to the film we received from both critics and industry at the Cannes Film Festival. Kino Lorber has demonstrated over the years a unique ability to not only curate the best of contemporary world cinema from major international film festivals, but also to identify and highlight many new voices of French cinema. We couldn’t have dreamt of a better home for the U.S. release of Being Maria, one of the standout titles from Orange Studio, newly acquired by Studiocanal.”
“I am very proud that Being Maria is being released in the United States, a pioneering country where actresses’ voices have been freed, and I am very happy to be supported by the teams at Kino Lorber, a talented distributor and great lover of French cinema,” said director Jessica Palud.
Being Maria is produced by Marielle Duigou, co-produced by Kristina Zimmerman and Christie Molia, and executive produced by Alex C. Lo. The film is a Les Films de Mina, Studiocanal, Moteur S’il Vous Plait production in co production with Cinema Inutile with the participation of OCS – Ciné +, with the support of région Bretagne in partnership with CNC, Procirep, Angoa and Creative Europe - Media Programme of European Union in association with Cofimage 34.