Martin Eden

Where Jack London's semi-autobiographical novel takes place in Oakland in the early 1900s, the action in Marcello's adaptation has been moved to Naples, Italy. Martin (intensely played by Luca Marinelli, last seen in the TV series Trust), has only one dream, and that is to become a writer. Coming from poor conditions, he is constantly reminded of his own intellectual inadequacy and lack of education. He is nevertheless full of bravery and boyish charm, and meeting Elena and her upper-class family, he begins to climb the social ladder. But with increasing success and recognition, the former radical leftist Martin begins to lose himself, ending up as a person with contempt for everything and everyone.

Martin Eden is a gift to anyone who appreciates French new wave cinema, New Hollywood and Bernardo Bertolucci's best films of the 60s and 70s. The film is shot on 16 mm film and has an amazing colour palette, that together with extended use of archive footage builds up a striking, melancholic feel.

Pietro Marcello (b. 1976) is an Italian director, cinematographer and writer. His feature debut was the surrealistic Bella e perduta from 2015, which won the award for best debut film at the film festival in Gothenburg. Previously, he has made several documentaries from his home region in Southern Italy, Campania.