Clare Saintclare: Last News

Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent With “Chiara,” Susanna Nicchiarelli’s portrait of Saint Clare of Assisi – the 13th century saint born into a wealthy family who at age 18 became a nun after hearing St. Francis preach – the Italian director completes her trilogy of female biopics, segueing from “Nico, 1988” and “Miss Marx,” which both launched from Venice’s Horizons section. With “Chiara,” she makes the leap into the main Venice competition. Nicchiarelli spoke to Variety about what drew her to portraying this prototypical feminist and directing “My Brilliant Friend” star Margherita Mazzucco in the pic’s titular role. Excerpts. What drove you to want to tell us this story about St. Clare?Well, first of all, I was always passionate about Saint Francis. I have a very strong memory when I first saw Franco Zeffirelli’s “Brother Sun, Sister Moon.” I was at school when they showed it to us and this boy, this man, taking his clothes off in front of the Bishop. That was a very strong image. Francis’ battle speaks to us just as much today because it’s a battle for poverty, against social injustice. It’s about being on the side of the poor, of those who are different, and the injustices of a society in which very few have everything and then most have nothing. So, this was their battle. The medieval society was like that. It’s not so different from the way it is now.

John Bleasdale Guest Contributor Bella Thorne, the star of “Shake It Up” and “Amityville Horror,” and Rebecca De Mornay, best known for “Risky Business” and “The Hand That Rocks the Cradle,” are at the Taormina Film Festival this week with Mitzi Peirone’s horror-thriller “Saint Clare,” which opened the Sicilian event. The actors and director spoke to Variety about how the film was inspired by Joan of Arc, the peasant girl who led the French army against the English invaders, and was burned to death at the stake. “Saint Clare” tells the story of Clare Bleeker, a Catholic college student who has a knack of killing sexual predators.

Italian directer and writer Mitzi Peirone’s Taormina Film Festival opener Saint Clare employs a number of cues from the story of Joan of Arc, the 15th century warrior and martyr who believed that God had chosen her to lead France to victory in its long-running war with England.

The Taormina Film Festival kicked off this weekend with the world premiere screening of Mitzi Peirone’s Saint Clare, starring Bella Thorne, Rebecca De Mornay and Ryan Phillippe.

Saint Clare starring Bella Thorne will open this year’s Taormina Film Festival.

Saint Clare starring Bella Thorne and Ryan Phillippe will open Italy’s Taormina Film Festival. 

Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent U.S.-based Italian director Mitzi Peirone’s comic horror thriller “Saint Clare” has been set as the opening night film of Italy’s upcoming Taormina Film Festival with protagonist Bella Thorne in attendance. “Saint Clare” follows Peirone’s debut, the horror film “Braid,” which launched from Tribeca in 2018. Based on U.S.

EXCLUSIVE: Bridge & Tunnel and 13 Reasons Why actor Jan Luis Castellanos is among supporting cast for thriller Saint Clare, starring Bella Thorne, Ryan Phillippe, Rebecca De Mornay, Frank Whaley, Bart Johnson and Dylan Flashner.

EXCLUSIVE: Ryan Phillippe (The Locksmith) has signed on for a key role opposite Bella Thorne in Mitzi Peirone’s thriller Saint Clare, based on Don Roff’s hit novel Clare at 16. Rebecca De Mornay (Lucifer), Frank Whaley (Pulp Fiction), Bart Johnson (High School Musical) and Dylan Flashner (The Card Counter) will co-star in the film, which Screen Media has slated for release in North American theaters in 2023.