Sicilian Letters Explained

Native Name:
Director:Fabio Grassadonia
Antonio Piazza
Cinematography:Luca Bigazzi
Editing:Paola Freddi
Music:Colapesce
Runtime:122 minutes
Language:Italian

Sicilian Letters (Sicilian: '''Iddu'''|lit=Him) 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]

The film will premiere at the 81st Venice International Film Festival, where it will be competing for the Golden Lion.[2]

Premise

In 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

Production

Initially, the film had the working title Lettere a Catello ("Letters to Catello"), a title based on the book about Messina Denaro Lettere a Svetonio.[4] Grassadonia and Piazza worked for two years on the screenplay. The film was shot in the summer of 2023 between Trapani, Sciacca, Salemi and Selinunte.

Release

In July 2024, Sicilian Letters was announced as a main competition entry for that year's Venice Film Festival.

Notes and References

  1. News: 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) . 24 July 2024 . Variety.
  2. News: 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 . 24 July 2024 . Variety.
  3. Web site: Sicilian Letters . Films du Losange . 24 July 2024.
  4. News: Cardinale . Jana . La vita di "Iddu" in Sicilia: i retroscena (pure sul titolo) del primo film su Messina Denaro . 24 July 2024 . Balarm . 7 January 2024 . it.