Martin Eden is set in early 20th century Naples, Italy, and follows the story of a young man named Martin Eden who aspires to become a writer. However, he is a working-class sailor who has had little formal education and struggles to gain acceptance in the literary world.
Martin meets and falls in love with Elena, a wealthy young woman who introduces him to the upper echelon of society. With Elena's help, Martin begins to refine his education and literary skills, but soon realizes that his success threatens to alienate him from his working-class roots.
As Martin's writing career takes off, he becomes increasingly disillusioned with the elite social circles he has been welcomed into and begins to question the role of art in society. The film explores themes of class, politics, and artistic expression as Martin navigates his way through the hurdles of becoming a successful writer while trying to remain true to himself.
The film features a standout performance from Luca Marinelli, who won the Best Actor award at the Venice Film Festival for his portrayal of Martin Eden. The film also received critical acclaim for its stunning visuals and poetic storytelling, earning praise from both audiences and critics alike.