Interview during the 82nd edition of Venice International Film Festival with Julian Schnabel, director of the film “In the hand of Dante”, and actor Oscar Isaac. The production, part of the official selection in Venice Film Festival 2025, is based on the book by Nick Tosches that intertwines two temporal lines: one of the author, looking for the original manuscript of “The Divine Comedy”, and a second one that follows Dante himself.
Julian Schnabel’s fascination with Dante stems from the complexity and impossibility of the original book. The director explained that the source material is “one of the craziest and most impossible books I’ve ever read”. Oscar Isaac, also an executive producer of the film, shared insights into his role and the passion behind producing “In the Hand of Dante.” He revealed that he chooses projects primarily based on emotional connection and a sense of ownership. For Isaac, this film represented both a personal challenge and an exploration of profound themes.
Julian Schnabel’s directorial style is characterized by a fearless embrace of spontaneity and improvisation. Oscar Isaac described Schnabel as a director who “divides towards the unknown,” fostering an environment where inspiration flows freely. The creative process was described as “working without a net”, highlighting the unpredictable and intuitive nature of shooting this wild, visceral film.
Plot
Time and space collide in parallel lives spanning 700 years when author Nick Tosches is drawn into a violent quest to confirm the origins of a manuscript believed to be Dante’s "The Divine Comedy" written in the poet’s own hand. After the sudden death of his daughter, Nick is summoned from self-imposed exile by a mafia don for his expertise on the Italian writer. With the help of an unpredictable assassin named Louie, the pair embark on a dark and murderous journey to steal and authenticate the priceless work. Moving between the 21st and 14th centuries, In the Hand of Dante weaves together the lives of Nick and Dante in their obsessive search for love, beauty, and the divine.