'She was fire': Anamaria Vartolomei embraces electrifying challenge of portraying Maria Schneider in 'Being Maria'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Anamaria Vartolomei talks about her most anticipated film ‘Being Maria.’ The project reflects on the life of actress Maria Schneider in ‘Last Tango in Paris.’

The young star plays Maria, whose career was cut short after the release of the 1972 movie.

“Maria was a very positive figure. She was fire, mischief, freedom — an electrifying presence,” Vartolomei took the opportunity to bring out the other side of Maria.

Vartolomei talks about Maria Schneider

The 24-year-old added, “I have great admiration for her and her career because she managed to draw on the strength she needed to make herself heard."

“She wanted to lift the veil and break the silence on taboo questions of violence and sexism within the industry. She wanted to protect future generations, and that unfortunately resonates with current events,” she told Variety.

Actor Matt Dillon takes on the role of Marlon Brando's character, reflecting on the unique challenge by stating, "I thought to myself, this is something Brando himself might have done because he was very courageous that way. So I liked the challenge of playing him but also doing it in French."

“I also have a real love for Marlon Brando, and he’s been with me since I started acting,” Dillon continued.

“He’s always been with me, [while ‘Last Tango in Paris’] had a profound effect because of the personal nature of [Brando’s] very courageous performance. So that was the temptation. Of course, there were times I was going, ‘You idiot, how can you even [dare?].’”

Orange Productions set to release 'Being Maria' on an international scale

Jessica Palud is at the helm of the project, and during its post-production phase, Orange Studio is overseeing the film's international sales.

Vartolomei told the outlet, “Reading articles from the era, I was shocked by the sexism she suffered, by the very different way journalists questioned her compared to Bertolucci or Brando.”

“Maria never flinched, never compromised, never reduced herself to the low status she was given. She carried a voice that still resonates today.