Sicilian Letters (Sicilian: Iddu, lit. 'He') is a 2024 crime drama film written and directed by Fabio Grassadonia and Antonio Piazza. The film stars Elio Germano as Sicilian Mafia boss Matteo Messina Denaro and Toni Servillo as Catello, an operative in the Italian secret service.[1]
| Sicilian Letters | |
|---|---|
| Sicilian | Iddu |
| Directed by | Fabio Grassadonia Antonio Piazza |
| Written by | Fabio Grassadonia Antonio Piazza |
| Produced by |
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| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Luca Bigazzi |
| Edited by | Paola Freddi |
| Music by | Colapesce |
Production companies | |
| Distributed by |
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Release date |
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Running time | 122 minutes |
| Countries |
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| Languages | Italian, Sicilian |
The film premiered at the 81st Venice International Film Festival, where it will be competing for the Golden Lion.[2]
Premise
editIn the early 2000s, the embattled politician Catello seeks to revive his career by helping the Secret Service track down the last known Cosa Nostra boss, Matteo Messina Denaro, whom Catello has known his entire life. The two begin corresponding via letters in a game of cat and mouse.[3]
Cast
edit- Elio Germano as Matteo Messina Denaro
- Toni Servillo as Catello, a secret services operative
- Daniela Marra
- Barbora Bobulova
- Tommaso Ragno
- Giuseppe Tantillo
- Fausto Russo Alesi
- Betti Pedrazzi
- Antonia Truppo
Production
editInitially, the film had the working title Lettere a Catello ("Letters to Catello"), a title based on the Salvatore Mugno's book about Messina Denaro Lettere a Svetonio.[4] Grassadonia and Piazza worked for two years on the screenplay.[4] The film was shot in the summer of 2023 between Trapani, Sciacca, Salemi and Selinunte.[4]
Release
editIn July 2024, Sicilian Letters was announced as a main competition entry for that year's Venice Film Festival.[2]
References
edit- ^ Vivarelli, Nick. "Les Films du Losange Takes Sales on Mafia Drama 'Sicilian Letters' as First-Look Images of Elio Germano and Toni Servillo Are Revealed (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
- ^ a b Vivarelli, Nick; Shafer, Ellise. "Venice Film Festival Lineup: 'Joker 2' With Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, Angelina Jolie's 'Maria' and Luca Guadagnino's Daniel Craig-Led 'Queer' to Debut in Competition". Variety. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
- ^ "Sicilian Letters". Les Films du Losange. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
- ^ a b c Cardinale, Jana (7 January 2024). "La vita di "Iddu" in Sicilia: i retroscena (pure sul titolo) del primo film su Messina Denaro". Balarm (in Italian). Retrieved 24 July 2024.