Skinned alive: George Enescu biopic debuts to European audiences
The biopic explores the complex personal life and creative genius of the revered Romanian composer George Enescu, whose legacy looms large in Romania but has rarely been portrayed on the silver screen. Central to the film is his love affair with Princess Maruca Cantacuzino - a relationship often misunderstood or sidelined in historical accounts.
Director Toma Enache said he was inspired to make the film after visiting the George Enescu Memorial House: "When I got to the museum with his name, and I saw a photo of him, with his dog by his side, in the hotel room where he died alone, I told myself I must do a movie dedicated to George Enescu."
"This wonder kid, same as Mozart, would compose at the age of 5, then go study at the Vienna Conservatory at the age of 8. Just 2 children under 8 have ever been admitted in the history of the conservatory and Enescu is one of them," he added.
"Although his violin playing was the stuff of legend, he saw himself mainly as a composer. During the course of his extraordinary life he played to Brahms, studied with Fauré and Massenet, and knew Bartok, Strauss, Ravel, Debussy and Shostakovich. Pablo Casals, whom he accompanied on the piano, called him "the greatest musical phenomenon since Mozart".
George Enescu was the man described by the acclaimed violinist Sir Yehudi Menuhin as "the Absolute by which I judge all others... the most extraordinary human being, the greatest musician and the most formative influence I have ever experienced."
The film also aims to reframe the legacy of Princess Maruca, often depicted in negative terms. Actress Theodora Sandu, who plays the role, said she felt a responsibility to offer a more empathetic portrayal: "It was sort of my task to paint her an image that the public didn't really know because history books have not written very kindly of her, so I tried in a way to protect her image and give a different perspective on her life and the love story between her and George Enescu."
The soundtrack includes works by George Enescu but also original music, composed by Sebastian Androne-Nakanishi, winner of the 2022 Composer of the Year title of the International Classic Music Awards.
Al Pacino has become the first major Hollywood celebrity to have an official audience with the newly elected pope, Pope Leo XIV.
The star of The Godfather and Serpico met the pontiff at the Vatican on Monday.
The veteran actor, 85, is currently in Italy shooting Maserati: The Brothers, a biopic starring co-stars Anthony Hopkins, Andy Garcia and Jessica Alba, about the automobile moguls who shaped the luxury sports car industry.
'We are honored to announce that this morning His Holiness Pope Leo XIV received in a private audience at the Holy See a delegation from the film 'Maserati: The Brothers,' including Oscar winner actor Al Pacino and the film's producer Andrea Iervolino,' Iervolino said in a statement.
'The meeting was a moment of profound spiritual and cultural inspiration, centered around shared values that lie at the heart of both the Catholic Church and the film: family unity, love, compassion and the importance of contributing to the common good.
The statement continued: 'These values, which Pope Leo XIV has consistently emphasized in his recent messages to the world, resonate deeply with the story of the Maserati brothers: a family whose legacy was built not only on innovation and excellence but on profound mutual respect, solidarity and a shared vision.'
Pope Leo XIV was elected last month and is the first Pontiff from the United States of America. He is also the first member of the Augustinian Order to be Pope.
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