Past Film/Video | Contemporary Screen

Martin Eden

(Pietro Marcello, 2019)

Stream | Columbus Premiere

Star Luca Marinelli looks into the distance as people walk behind him carrying red flags.

Adapted from a 1909 novel by Jack London yet set in a provocatively unspecified moment in history, Martin Eden is a passionate and enthralling narrative fresco in the great tradition of classic Italian films.

The self-taught, proletarian Martin (played by a marvelously committed Luca Marinelli) hopes that his dreams of becoming a writer will help him rise above his station to marry a wealthy young university student (the luminous Jessica Cressy). Dissatisfactions with working-class toil and bourgeois success lead to political awakening and destructive anxiety in this enveloping, superbly realized epic. (127 mins., DCP)

"Everything I love in movies, more or less...an absolute blast."
A. O. Scott, New York Times

As A. O. Scott wrote in his enthusiastic New York Times review, “Marcello’s mock-epic includes documentary footage, wealthy decadence, left-wing politics, angry speeches (in Italian!), beautiful women, square-jawed men, quotations from Baudelaire and the heroic deployment of manual typewriters, hand-rolled cigarettes, ascots and Volvo sedans. Everything I love in movies, more or less...an absolute blast.”

More about the film

Star Luca Marinelli looks into the distance as people walk behind him carrying red flags.

Martin Eden, image courtesy of Kino Lorber, photo: Francesca Errichiello 

The eponymous protagonist engages a group of people in discussion.

Martin Eden, image courtesy of Kino Lorber

Martin stands in front of a banner.

Martin Eden, image courtesy of Kino Lorber

Martin and his love interest Elena (Jessica Cressy) share a kiss.

Martin Eden, image courtesy of Kino Lorber, photo: Francesca Errichiello 

Martin and Elena face one another as they share a small umbrella in the rain.

Martin Eden, image courtesy of Kino Lorber, photo: Francesca Errichiello 

Elena sits on the edge of a bed to adjust her silk stockings as Martin lays back behind her.

Martin Eden, image courtesy of Kino Lorber, photo: Francesca Errichiello 

MADE POSSIBLE BY
Greater Columbus Arts Council
American Electric Power Foundation
L Brands Foundation
The Columbus Foundation
Ohio Arts Council
Institute of Museum and Library Services
Huntington Bank
Nationwide Foundation

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT PROVIDED BY
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams
Kaufman Development
Cardinal Health Foundation

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Past Film/Video

Martin Eden