Italian filmmaker Ginevra Elkann is set to direct a new feature film about Maria José of Savoy, the last Queen of Italy, in a project co-written by acclaimed director Marco Bellocchio. According to Variety, the film will tell the story of Maria José, who became Queen of Italy for just 27 days in 1946 before the monarchy was abolished following a national referendum. Often referred to as the “May Queen” because of her brief reign, Maria José remains one of the most fascinating and controversial figures in modern Italian history.
Collaboration with Marco Bellocchio
The project marks a notable collaboration between Elkann, whose previous directing credits include If Only and I Told You So, and Bellocchio, one of Italy’s most celebrated filmmakers. Bellocchio is co-writing the screenplay with Stefano Bises, the writer behind several acclaimed Italian productions, while also serving as a creative force behind the project.
Maria José's Life and Legacy
Maria José was born a Belgian princess and married Crown Prince Umberto of Italy in 1930. During the Second World War, she reportedly maintained contacts with anti-fascist figures and was known for her opposition to Benito Mussolini's regime, setting her apart from many members of Italy's royal establishment. The film will explore her life against the backdrop of some of the most turbulent years in Italian history, including the collapse of fascism, the end of the Second World War and the monarchy's final days.
Production Details
Variety reports that the project aims to present Maria José as a complex and independent woman whose political views often put her at odds with the royal family and the era in which she lived. Production is being developed by Lorenzo Mieli's company The Apartment, part of Fremantle, alongside Bellocchio's Kavac Film and Elkann's production outfit. The filmmakers are currently finalising casting, with production expected to move forward in the coming months.
For Elkann, the film represents another opportunity to examine family, power and history through a personal lens, while Bellocchio continues his long-standing exploration of pivotal moments in Italy's political and cultural past. If brought to the screen as planned, the project will shine a spotlight on a royal figure whose brief reign left a lasting mark on Italian history.
