In the Hand of Dante: The spectacular Italian locations of the film presented at Venice 82

Julian Schnabel 's film In the Hand of Dante premiered Out of Competition at the 82nd Venice Film Festival. It intertwines the present with Dante's Middle Ages in a visually powerful tale. Filming took place across Italy, transforming real locations into settings suspended between history and legend.

“ Italy is the country that has contributed most to my growth and artistic maturation, and my film In the Hand of Dante is in some ways my thanks to the artists of the Peninsula who have been fundamental to my life .” The cast includes Oscar Isaac, Jason Momoa, Gerard Butler , and Gal Gadot, along with Sabrina Impacciatore, Franco Nero, John Malkovich , and Al Pacino in supporting roles. Martin Scorsese serves as executive producer.

What is the movie about?

The story—the rights to which were initially purchased by Johnny Depp—unfolds on two intertwined narrative levels. On one side, there's the 14th century, with Dante Alighieri at the center, engaged in the writing of his Divine Comedy and a journey to Sicily that also becomes a spiritual journey in search of truth and knowledge.

On the other hand, in the autumn of 2001, we follow Nick Tosches, a Dante expert but also a controversial figure, hired by black market traffickers to certify the authenticity of a mysterious manuscript attributed to the poet.

Where was it filmed?

At the heart of In The Hand of Dante is the journey from the United States to Italy in the footsteps of this priceless work, even if not all the locations mentioned by the protagonists are actually those used by the production for filming.

However, shooting this film in various Italian regions such as Sicily, Campania, Lazio, Tuscany, Emilia, and Veneto gave the director the opportunity to discover many places in a country boasting extraordinary history, culture, and art. " These elements enrich my life and give me the energy to continue my work ," said Schnabel.

The first shots took place between Venice and the Lido. In the lagoon, the set required an ordinance to regulate vehicle parking, highlighting the cinematic impact in the heart of the city. Some sequences are set in the city's prestigious locations: the Marciana Library , the State Archives, and Forte di Sant'Andrea , creating an aesthetic suspended between authentic Venice and a Dantesque symbol.

In one scene, the famous Gritti Palace overlooking the Grand Canal can be clearly seen.

In addition to Venice, the film was also shot in Padua, Palermo, Tarquinia, and Bracciano. Viterbo in particular became the film's medieval heart . The San Pellegrino neighborhood welcomed the star-studded cast on a secretive yet evocative set. It's one of the best-preserved historic centers in Europe, and strolling through its narrow streets truly feels like stepping back in time to the 13th century.

Among the most evocative places in this neighborhood are Piazza San Pellegrino , with the Romanesque-style church of the same name, and Piazza San Carluccio , often chosen as a film set due to its authenticity.