Filmmaker Kornél Mundruczó is no stranger to the film festival circuit, with his 2005 film “Johanna” screening at the Un Certain Regard section of the Cannes Film Festival, before “White God” took home the Prize Un Certain Regard later in 2014. “White God” was even selected to be Hungary’s entry for the Best Foreign Language Film category at the 87th Academy Awards.
Now, Mundruczó returns with his most personal work “Pieces Of A Woman.” This Venice Film Festival premiere carries a heartbreaking backstory along with a celebrated cast to create one of the event’s most anticipated entries. In the film, a couple (Vanessa Kirby and Shia LaBeouf) are ready to become parents when their home birth goes horribly wrong.
The aftermath sees a midwife charged with criminal negligence and the wife, Martha, left to deal with a year of grief. Key to the unfolding events is a tumultuous connection to her husband, Sean, as well as a controlling mother determined to be a part of her daughter’s decisions. It all comes to a head as Martha faces the midwife’s trial.
READ MORE: 2020 Venice Film Festival Preview: All The Must-See Films To Watch
Loss and its aftermath is something Mundruczó emphasized in his reasoning for making ‘Pieces.’ The filmmaker revealed real-life inspirations led the way for this cinematic journey.
“My wife and I wanted to share one of our most personal experiences with audiences through a story of an unborn child; with the faith that art can be the best medicine for pain,” Mundruczó said of the decision to bring personal trauma to the screen. “We wanted to form an authentic story about tragedy, and learning to live alongside that grief. Loss steps beyond the boundaries of understanding or control for all of us, but comes with the ability to be reborn.”
Outside of Kirby and LaBeouf, ‘Pieces’ brings together an outstanding cast. Legendary actress Ellen Burstyn leads the way as Jimmie Fails, Molly Parker, Sarah Snook, and Iliza Shlesinger create memorable characters. Fans of “Uncut Gems” should take note as director Benny Safdie shows off his acting skills once again. Earlier this year, Safdie starred alongside his ‘Gems’ star Adam Sandler in the short “Goldman V Silverman.”
Little Lamb (Kevin Turen, Ashley Levinson), BRON, Proton, Aaron Ryder, Martin Scorsese produce “Pieces Of A Woman”. Get your first look at the project with the new trailer.
You can watch the clip below:
