Harvey Keitel stars as Marpa, a wise spiritual leader, in a new film called Milarepa by Italian filmmaker Louis Nero. This future-set drama, spoken in English, features a young girl named Mila, played by Isabelle Allen from Les Miserables, who seeks guidance from Marpa.
The movie, which also includes actors like F. Murray Abraham and Angela Molina, has just finished its main shooting in Sardinia, Italy. The film takes advantage of Sardinia’s ancient landscapes, including stone structures and deserts.
The plot draws inspiration from the life of Milarepa, a well-known yogi and poet from the 11th century, who was also the subject of Herman Hesse’s novel Siddartha. In the movie, Mila’s life on a Mediterranean island changes drastically when her father is murdered over a family inheritance dispute.
Seeking justice, Mila is advised by her mother to seek out magical teachings, traditionally only given to males. Disguised as a boy, Mila embarks on a journey for revenge, only to seek redemption from Marpa after achieving her goal.
Harvey Keitel Becomes a Guru in First Look at Buddhism-Inspired Sci-Fi Drama 'Milarepa' (EXCLUSIVE) https://t.co/dI1cEnZ3cG
— Variety (@Variety) April 9, 2024
Milarepa is a collaborative production effort involving Nero’s L’Altrofilm, Jake Seal’s Black Hunger Studio from Britain, and Orwo Studio USA from Louisiana, with Orwo Distribution managing its international release.
Director Nero describes the film as a fresh take on sci-fi, highlighting a world where humans rediscover their essence after the collapse of technology, and materialism loses its grip. Source
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