The Obscure Life of the Grand Duke of Corsica is a dark comedy-drama film directed by Daniel Graham. The cast includes Timothy Spall as the architect Alfred, Peter Stormare as the Grand Duke, and Matt Hookings as a young local man named Lino.
Alfred is a cranky, aging architect who has lost his family and is approaching retirement. He is approached by a wealthy outsider, the Grand Duke of Corsica, who commissions him to build a replica of the city of Venice on the small island of Malta. Alfred is skeptical at first but begins to warm up to the eccentric Grand Duke and his pet lion.
As the construction of the Venetian replica progresses, an epidemic hits the island, and all the locals flee. However, Alfred chooses to stay on the island to finish the job he has started. He becomes increasingly obsessed with the project and starts to see it as his legacy.
Meanwhile, Lino, a young man who has been assisting the construction, falls in love with a local girl named Maria. Their romance is complicated by the strange events surrounding them, including the arrival of a group of stranded survivors with dubious intentions.
The film explores themes of aging, mortality, identity, and delusion. It features stunning cinematography and a haunting score that captures the surreal atmosphere of the story. The Obscure Life of the Grand Duke of Corsica is a unique and memorable film that defies conventions and expectations.