The powerful and emotional story of late actress Maria Schneider is finally being told in the upcoming biopic Being Maria. Starring Happening breakout star Anamaria Vartolomei, the film dives into Schneider’s life — from her rise to fame at 19 in the controversial Last Tango in Paris to the devastating aftermath of a shocking scene she was never warned about.
Based on Vanessa Schneider’s memoir My Cousin Maria, the film reveals how director Bernardo Bertolucci and Hollywood icon Marlon Brando secretly planned a distressing assault scene without Maria’s consent. What was hailed as a bold cinematic moment in 1973 became a traumatic experience for Schneider, shaping the rest of her life.
The movie unfolds in two parts: the intense collaboration on the Last Tango in Paris set and Maria’s painful journey of coping with fame and betrayal. Matt Dillon plays Brando, while Giuseppe Maggio portrays Bertolucci. The cast also includes Yvan Attal, Marie Gillain, and Céleste Brunnquell.
Director Palud has described Being Maria as a story about “the gaze” placed on actresses — and how a lack of understanding and empathy can leave lasting scars.
Premiering at Cannes, the film will soon hit U.S. theaters: March 21 in New York City and March 28 in Los Angeles, distributed by Kino Lorber.
Get a first look at the gripping trailer below.
