Guadagnino Backs Former Assistant's Second Feature as a Needed Antidote to Italy's Stale Cinema
Luca Guadagnino attended the Locarno Film Festival to discuss his role as producer on Giovanni Tortorici's coming-of-age drama 'Ketticè'. The film, which stars Monica Bellucci, explores young people let down by schools and adults. Guadagnino described the Italian film landscape as 'sterile' and felt compelled to support this project.
The film *Ketticè* unfolds in 2012 Palermo, during Silvio Berlusconi's political ascendancy, centering on a disaffected 16-year-old named Giulio. His bond with the self-assured Ketty—whose Sicilian dialect nickname titles the movie—offers an escape from adult judgment. Monica Bellucci plays Giulio's mother within an oppressive aristocratic family. Cinematographer Camilla Cattabriga and editor Marco Costa contributed, with PiperPlay managing international sales.
Guadagnino attributes Italian cinema's decline to private television and Berlusconi's media empire, which he claims stifled genre filmmaking and fostered self-referential scripts. He views Tortorici as a rare talent deserving protection, framing his mentorship as a way to rebuild a vibrant, authentic cinematic future.
Guadagnino's active mentorship could encourage other established filmmakers to back emerging voices, potentially revitalizing Italy's creative landscape. Audiences may gain access to more authentic, youth-focused narratives that challenge formulaic productions. This model could also shift industry funding priorities, prompting investors to support risk-taking projects that reflect genuine social realities rather than safe, commercial fare.