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ROME � Noah Taylor and John Hurt will topline Italo novelist Alessandro Baricco's directorial debut "Lesson 21," an English-language drama inspired by Beethoven's "Ode to Joy."

Pic about a student (Taylor) blown away by a potent lecture about the peace-themed ode made by a mad music professor (Hurt), is produced by Domenico Procacci's Fandango in association with RAI Cinema, which will distribute in Italy.

Rare case of an Italo work in English and starring no local thesps in lead roles will start shooting in the Italian Alps February 12.

While several of Baricco's internationally bestselling books have been made into movies � most recently Picturehouse's Keira Knightley-starrer "Silk," helmed by Francois Girard � this one is based on unpublished material by the scribe.

Also cast in "Lesson" are Leonor Watling ("Talk to Her") and Clive Russell ("King Arthur").