Billy Zane is about to make the trek to the Italian Turin Film Festival, which has secured the world premiere of the highly anticipated indie film “Waltzing With Brando,” directed by Bill Fishman, in which Zane plays Marlon Brando as he prepares for starring in “The Godfather” and “Last Tango in Paris.”

Based on a memoir by the iconic actor’s architect, Bernard Judge, ‘Waltzing With Brando’ is the story of how Brando plucked Judge, then an idealistic Los Angeles architect, out of his stable existence and convinced him that he had to do that. build the world’s first ecologically perfect refuge on the small, uninhabitable Tahitian island of Tetiaroa.

Most of the film was shot on Tetiaroa, where Brando and Judge sought to lead sustainable architecture and practices.

“Waltzing With Brando” is set as the closing film of Torino, which also celebrates the centenary of Marlon Brando’s birth with a 24-title retrospective of films starring the groundbreaking two-time Oscar winner, known for his naturalistic acting style and rebellious streak. .

The upcoming 42nd edition of the fest, which will take place from November 22 to 30, will be the first under new artistic director Giulio Base, who is revitalizing Italy’s leading event for young directors and indie cinema.

Base is understandably proud that Zane, known for his memorable role as Cal Hockley in “Titanic,” is making the trek with Fishman to present the film. “You won’t believe it: he is possessed by Marlon Brando,” says Base Variety.

As previously announced, Ron Howard’s survival thriller ‘Eden’, starring Jude Law, Ana de Armas, Vanessa Kirby and Sydney Sweeney, is set as the Torino opener with the director in tow, marking the film’s international festival bow after the launch in Toronto.

The full Torino line-up will be announced on November 7