Presented in the Cannes Première section during the Festival de Cannes 2024, Maria, directed by Jessica Palud, will air inédit on France 2 on Sunday, May 17, 2026 at 23:45. This biopic drama, freely adapted from Vanessa Schneider's book Tu t’appelais Maria Schneider, retraces Maria Schneider's career after Last Tango in Paris.
Maria
Film | 2024
Cinema release: June 19, 2024
Broadcast on France 2 : Sunday, May 17, 2026 at 11:45 p.m.
Biopic, drama | Runtime: 1h42
Directed by Jessica Palud | Starring Anamaria Vartolomei, Matt Dillon, Giuseppe Maggio
Nationality: France
Maria Schneider was 19 when she was cast to star in The Last Tango in Paris, Bernardo Bertolucci’s film alongside Marlon Brando. The film’s success thrust her into the glare of fame—and the scandal that accompanied its release. Maria traces this young actress as she faces sudden notoriety, the public image imposed on her, and the lasting consequences of a shoot that would come to shape her story.
The film is led by Anamaria Vartolomei as Maria Schneider, alongside Matt Dillon, who plays Marlon Brando, with Giuseppe Maggio portraying Bernardo Bertolucci, as well as Céleste Brunnquell and Yvan Attal. The screenplay is by Jessica Palud and Laurette Polmanss, adapted from Vanessa Schneider’s book, Maria Schneider’s cousin.
In this loose adaptation, Jessica Palud shifts the lens to Maria Schneider herself, building the story from her perspective. The film tackles the place of actresses in 1970s cinema, the power dynamics on set, and how a public image can trap a performer. The narrative thus fits into a psychological drama focused on memory, fame, and the abuses within the film industry.
Maria may appeal to viewers who follow biopics of cinema icons, as well as to fans of behind‑the‑scenes stories about the making of films and the power dynamics in the arts world. Not recommended for audiences under 12 when it airs on television, the film adopts an intimate lens on a career defined by an iconic role and the wounds left by its production.
To go further, also discover our selection of films, séries et émissions à voir à la télévision cette semaine, our guide to sorties streaming toutes plateformes and the day's pick Que voir aujourd'hui en streaming.
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