Martin Eden (2019 film)

Martin Eden is a 2019 Italian-French historical drama film directed by Pietro Marcello, loosely based on the 1909 novel of the same name by Jack London. However, Marcello's adaptation departs significantly from the novel's original setting in Oakland, California, and transposes the story to an unspecified time and place in 20th-century Italy, primarily Naples.

The film stars Luca Marinelli as Martin Eden, a young, working-class sailor who aspires to become a writer after being captivated by a young woman from a wealthy bourgeois family. Driven by his ambition and fueled by self-education, Eden dedicates himself to intellectual pursuits and writing, challenging societal norms and his own working-class background.

The film explores themes of class struggle, social mobility, political ideology, the nature of art and literature, and the corrosive effects of fame and disillusionment. It critiques the limitations and contradictions inherent in various political and philosophical doctrines, including socialism and individualism, as Eden navigates his evolving worldview.

Luca Marinelli's performance as Martin Eden garnered widespread critical acclaim, earning him the Volpi Cup for Best Actor at the 76th Venice International Film Festival. The film was nominated for the Golden Lion at the same festival.