Story perspectives

‘Ketticè’ Premieres at Locarno, Starring Monica Bellucci

8/9/2026

Summary

Story summary

Ketticè premiered at the 79th Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland.
Giovanni Tortorici wrote and directed the film, his second feature after Diciannove, with Luca Guadagnino producing.
Salvatore Gallina, Rachele Testagrossa and Monica Bellucci star as Giulio, Ketty and Giulio’s mother in a story set in Palermo in 2012.
Tortorici said the film critiques drug use, parenting and institutions, while Guadagnino said producing it helps keep Italian cinematic tradition alive.

History

Historical Context

In 1972 Cannes awarded the Palme d’Or to Elio Petri’s *The Working Class Goes to Heaven*, a sequel to his 1971 drama that continued the director’s “trilogy of neurosis” on work, power and money. Petri’s earlier *Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion* had won the 1971 Academy Award for Best Foreign-Language Film, cementing Italy’s politically charged cinema on the world stage.

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Story summary

Ketticè premiered at the 79th Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland.
Giovanni Tortorici wrote and directed the film, his second feature after Diciannove, with Luca Guadagnino producing.
Salvatore Gallina, Rachele Testagrossa and Monica Bellucci star as Giulio, Ketty and Giulio’s mother in a story set in Palermo in 2012.
Tortorici said the film critiques drug use, parenting and institutions, while Guadagnino said producing it helps keep Italian cinematic tradition alive.

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