Abel Ferrara says Shia LaBeouf’s casting as Padre Pio, the Italian monk who had earned rock star status among the Catholic faithful, coincided with a point in the actor’s life “where he was closely associated with Pio’s journey in the film”.
“Padre Pio,” among the titles set to release next week from the independently run Giornate Degli Autori Venice Film Festival, will see LaBeouf once again on the big screen after the actor – best known for his roles in the Transformers and Indiana Jones franchises – took a break from Acting in 2020 following allegations made by his ex-girlfriend Tahlia Debrett Barnett. The singer, known by the name of FKA Branch, sued LaBeouf for sexual distress and emotional distress.
After that, LaBeouf took a break from acting so he could just focus on his recovery.
Padre Pio, born Francesco Forgione in southern Italy in the late 19th century, sparked both fidelity and controversy throughout his life. He rose to fame in the Catholic world for showing stigmata – crucifixion wounds corresponding to those on the body of Jesus Christ – before becoming a symbol of hope for southern Italy during the country’s turbulent period between the two world wars. He died in 1968 at the age of 81, canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1999, and then canonized in 2002.
“He’s a standout,” Ferrara says. “He is on the back of every truck. He is the patron saint of every Naples drug dealer.”
The director of “Bad Lieutenant” also notes that “as a lead character, Beau resembles the alternate Jesus in some way.”
Ferrara, who lives and works in Italy, remembers that it was Willem Dafoe who first suggested he approach LaBeouf for the role. After a few calls from Zoom, LaBeouf was on board and ready to fully immerse himself in the role.
“He’s the kind of actor who hops the next moment in his pickup truck as he drives to a convent in California,” Ferrara says.
The commander explains that when LaBeouf arrived at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport, he was wearing a robe. He then went to the monastery in southern Italy where the movie was being filmed and slept in the bed where Padre Pio was sleeping. Ferrara points out that the film is supported by the Padre Pio congregation and that the monks in the film are real.
“He brings his life to him. You see someone going through a very similar experience. It’s not just about putting on the robes and doing the moves,” Ferrara notes.
“When an actor lives a parallel genre journey, that’s when you get such a solid performance.”
LaBeouf will attend the world premiere of “Padre Pio” in Venice, but he will not be doing the press.
Padre Pio is produced by Diana Phillips, Philip Crozer, Maurizio Antonini and Christian Mercury of Capstone, who handles global sales.
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