The DreamWorks feature film “The Kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara” has launched an international talent search seeking a 6-9 year old boy for the lead role. In addition to in-person open casting calls scheduled around the world, talent can also upload a self-made audition video to the official casting website for the film. Shooting on the film will begin in April, 2017 in Italy. Three-time Academy Award winner Steven Spielberg will direct the film from an adapted screenplay written by two-time Academy Award winner Tony Kushner, based on the award winning nonfiction novel by David I. Kertzer.
“The Kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara” is about the true story of Edgardo Mortara, a 6 year old Jewish boy from Bologna who was reported to have been secretly baptized by a maid, and was deemed by the Catholic Church therefore to be Christian. Pope Pius IX decreed that the boy could not remain with his Jewish family. He was seized by the Papal State and taken to the Vatican where his indoctrination into Catholicism began. This was a cause celebre of mid-nineteenth century European politics and the domestic and international outrage against the pontifical state’s actions may have contributed to its downfall amid the unification of Italy.
The Kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara Open Casting Call Details
The casting directors for the DreamWorks feature film “The Kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara” have scheduled the following open casting calls below. They are looking for a 6-9 year boy to play the lead role in the film. The open casting call is open to any talent who can portray Jewish or Italian heritage, no accent is necessary. They are seeking someone who is truly special, gifted, curious and intelligent with a mischievous streak. Filming will take place in Italy beginning in April, 2017. Transportation and accommodations will be provided to the actor chosen for this role. This film is being directed by Steven Spielberg. Please only bring one family member with you and a recent photo to leave behind.
BOY – Male, age 6-9 to play 6 years old. This is a unique role for a truly special boy up for a challenge. The story deals with the complexity of an extremely intelligent and gifted child’s desire to both return to his family and explore an exciting new world. HE SHOULD APPEAR TO BE A JEWISH ITALIAN BOY. No accent needed. We are looking for a truly special, gifted, curious and intelligent boy with a mischievous streak who appears to be Jewish and Italian.
LOS ANGELES
American Jewish University
Colen Conference Hall
15600 Mulholland Drive
Los Angeles, 90077
Sunday January 29, 2017
10:00am – 5:00pm
Sign-in begins at 10:00am.
NEW YORK
One on One Studios
34 W 27th Street
11th Floor
NYC 10001
Sunday January 29, 2017
10:00am – 5:00pm
Sign-in begins at 10:00am.
LONDON
Newman Street Studios
42 – 44 Newman Street
London, W1T 1QD
United Kingdom
Sunday January 29, 2017
10:00am – 5:00pm
Sign-in begins at 10:00am.
TORONTO
JP Studios
400 Eastern Avenue
Suite 201A
Toronto, ON M4M 2K9
Canada
Saturday February 4, 2017
9:00am – 1:00pm
Sign-in begins at 9:00am.
MIAMI
Dave & Mary Alper Jewish Community Center
11155 SW 112 Avenue
Miami, FL 33176
Sunday February 5, 2017
10:00am – 5:00pm
Sign-in begins at 10:00am.
VANCOUVER
Shoreline Studios
1425 Charles Street
Vancouver, BC V5L 2S7
Canada
Sunday February 5, 2017
10:00am – 4:00pm
Sign-in begins at 10:00am.
CHICAGO
Bernard Weinger Jewish Community Center
300 Revere Drive
Northbrook, IL 60062
Sunday February 12, 2017
10:00am – 5:00pm
Sign-in begins at 10:00am.
If you are unable to attend one of the open casting calls in-person, you can submit a home-made audition video through the following official talent search web page:
The Kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara Talent Search
If you have any questions regarding this talent search, please email childcastingsearch@gmail.com.
Production Companies:
Leone Film Group
Via Birmania, 74/76
Rome RM Italy 00144
Marc Platt Productions
100 Universal City Plaza
Bungalo 5163
Universal City, CA 91608
Amblin Partners
100 Universal City Plaza
Building 5121
Universal City CA 91608
Distributor:
DreamWorks
100 Universal Plaza
Universal City, CA 91608
Producers:
Marc Platt
Kristie Macosko Krieger
Andrea Leone
Raffaella Leone
Writer:
David I. Kertzer
Director:
Steven Spielberg
Starring:
Mark Rylance – Pope Pius IX
Isaac Eshete – Antoine Freelance
Oscar Isaac – TBA
Story:
The Kidnapping Of Edgardo Mortara recounts the story of a young Jewish boy in Bologna, Italy in 1858 who, having been secretly baptized, is forcibly taken from his family to be raised as a Christian. His parents’ struggle to free their son becomes part of a larger political battle that pits the Papacy against forces of democracy and Italian unification
