Martin Eden

A stylistically dazzling and ambitious Italian adaptation of Jack London’s autobiographical novel about a self-taught and outspoken working-class writer who climbs the ranks of society.

Martin Eden is the kaleidoscopic, brilliantly rendered account of one man’s spiritual, philosophical, artistic and political journey through life and Italian society, as he strives to discover his sense of identity. A tough sailor, Martin’s chance introduction to the upper echelons of middle-class life and a meeting with a beautiful young woman inspire him, against all odds, to teach himself to become a writer.

This bold adaptation of London’s novel, transposed from the US to Naples, mixes drama with archive footage to create a unique fable that demonstrates the imaginative vision and creative skill of director Pietro Marcello, who follows up his impressive 2015 feature debut Lost and Beautiful with a work that is no less engaging.