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Photo: Gamma-Keystone |
An exciting cinematic collaboration is brewing in Italy. Director Ginevra Elkann is joining forces with legendary filmmaker Marco Bellocchio to bring the dramatic life of Maria José of Savoy—the country’s final queen—to the big screen.
Known as the "May Queen," Maria José held the throne for a mere 27 days in 1946 before Italy voted to abolish the monarchy.
The Creative Powerhouse Behind the Project
This upcoming feature film blends a fresh directing voice with one of Italian cinema's most revered veterans:
Director: Ginevra Elkann (If Only, I Told You So)
Screenwriters: Marco Bellocchio (The Traitor, Kidnapped) and Stefano Bises (Gomorrah, The New Pope)
Producers: Lorenzo Mieli’s The Apartment (a Fremantle company), Bellocchio’s Kavac Film, and Elkann's own production banner.
Who Was the "May Queen"?
Maria José remains one of the most compelling and rebellious figures in modern European history.
Royal Roots: Originally a Belgian princess, she married Italy's Crown Prince Umberto in 1930.
The Anti-Fascist Rebel: Unlike much of the Italian royal establishment, she fiercely opposed Benito Mussolini’s regime and covertly maintained ties with anti-fascist resistance figures during World War II.
A 27-Day Reign: She became queen in May 1946, right before a historic national referendum turned Italy into a republic, sending the royal family into exile.
What to Expect From the Film
According to Variety, the biopic won't just be a standard period piece. It aims to paint a psychological portrait of a highly independent, complex woman whose progressive political ideals frequently put her at war with her own royal family and the turbulent era she lived through.
The narrative will weave her personal struggles through major historical flashpoints, including the rise and fall of Italian fascism, the devastation of WWII, and the final, chaotic days of the monarchy.
Current Status: Casting is currently underway, and cameras are expected to start rolling in the coming months.
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