Summary
Dalíland explores the last decade of Salvador Dalí's life, including his preparation for a show in NYC and his marriage to Gala Dalí.
Ben Kingsley perfectly captures the surrealist and tortured artistry of Salvador Dalí in his performance in Dalíland, while still portraying him as a relatable human being. With his cerebral approach to acting and ability to embody Dalí's abstract energy, Kingsley is an ideal choice for the role of the renowned artist.
Dalíland delves into the life of a legendary artist, with a specific focus on the final decade of Salvador Dalí's life. This includes his preparations for an exhibition in New York City and his marriage to Gala Dalí. The film made its debut at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival and currently boasts a favorable audience rating of 97% on Rotten Tomatoes. Directed by Mary Harron, acclaimed for her work on American Psycho and I Shot Andy Warhol, and written by John Walsh.
In line with the tradition of movies centered around famous artists, the success of Dalíland largely rests on the shoulders of its lead actor. Sir Ben Kingsley takes on the role of Salvador Dalí, portraying the artist in his later years, while Ezra Miller portrays him during his younger days in certain scenes. Kingsley's performance brings a necessary depth and gravitas to the character. Screen Rant is thrilled to present an exclusive clip from the home release of Dalíland in which Kingsley discusses his unique approach to acting.
Why Ben Kingsley Was The Perfect Choice For Salvador Dalí
The portrayal of Dalí in Dalíland required an actor who could capture the essence of his surrealist style and tortured artistry, while still portraying the reality of the human behind the famous persona. Kingsley, known for his award-winning portrayal of Mahatma Gandhi and his ability to embody real-world characters, was a perfect fit. Even in his sillier role in Iron Man 3, Kingsley showcased his ability to match Dalí's abstract energy. Furthermore, Kingsley's cerebral approach to acting made him an ideal choice to play Dalí, as he described a mix of discipline and surrender that would have impressed the artist himself. The decision by Mary Harron and her team to cast Kingsley as Dalí has proven to be a successful one, with his performance often hailed as one of the highlights of Dalíland.
Dalíland is available now on DVD and digital platforms.