Luca Guadagnino Backs Emerging Director Giovanni Tortorici’s Coming-of-Age Drama “Ketticè” at Locarno

The sophomore feature “Ketticè,” written and directed by former assistant Giovanni Tortorici, opened at the 79th edition of the Locarno Film Festival in the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland. Monica Bellucci portrays Giulio’s mother, an aristocratic figure who worries about her son’s direction.

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Luca Guadagnino, known for “Call Me by Your Name” and “Challengers,” serves as a producer, citing a desire to keep Italy’s historic cinematic tradition alive. Italian cinema, turning many film projects into television productions. Tortorici, who also stars in the film, described his work as drawing on personal experiences from “difficult neighborhoods” in Palermo. International sales are handled by PiperPlay, while cinematography is by Camilla Cattabriga and editing by Marco Costa.

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The narrative highlights drug use, generational divides, and the pressures of parenting and schooling in contemporary Italy. According to blue News, the film’s natural tone and honest portrayal aim to let viewers see themselves reflected in the protagonists’ struggles.

"I was nervous, but Monica Bellucci laughed a lot with me during filming."

Tortorici reiterated his commitment to exploring youth-authority conflicts, noting that his next project will move “far from me” while still probing similar social tensions.

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• “Shooting this movie, I met a lot of people in Palermo, even coming from difficult neighborhoods with difficult life experiences. I find in these stories the possibility to continuing to explore this struggle of young people with authorities.” — Giovanni Tortorici, met with director

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