The parallel storylines of a modern-day crime drama and a philosophical 14th-century period piece are intertwined in Director Julian Schnabel’s feature, In the Hand of Dante.

Based on the 2002 novel by Nick Tosches, Schnabel’s weaves together the story of a 21st Century weary scholar and author, who is summoned by a mafia don to authenticate a newly discovered work rumored to be the original manuscript of Dante Alighieri’s The Divine Comedy and finds himself plunged into a violent, murderous underworld quest after he steals the manuscript. Meanwhile in the 14th Century, Dante himself navigates political exile, endures a loveless marriage, and undergoes a spiritual awakening while trying to write his masterpiece.

On June 13, after the DGA membership screening in New York, Schnabel discussed the making of In the Hand of Dante during a Q&A moderated by Director Benny Safdie (The Smashing Machine).

During the conversation, Schnabel spoke about his spontaneous directorial style.

“Alan Ginsberg said, ‘First thought, best thought,’ and before thoughts are even better than that. We don’t rehearse. There’s no, ‘This is your spot that’s your spot.’ If I’ve selected them to be in the movie it’s because I really believe that they can do this. I might not know what they’re going to do but I know that if I put them in a situation, they’re gonna surprise me and do something much better than anything I ever wrote. So, my way of doing it is to get people in a situation and then let them bring what’s inside of them into that without interfering and if they’re really prepared it’s amazing what will come out of them if they’re really talented.”

Schnabel’s other directorial credits include the feature films At Eternity’s Gate, Miral, Before Night Falls, Basquiat and the documentary feature Lou Reed: Berlin. He was nominated for both the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures and the Oscar for Best Director for his 2008 feature The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. Schnabel has been a DGA member since 1995.