Giovanni Tortorici, a 30-year-old Italian filmmaker whose debut “Diciannove” premiered in the Venice Horizons section last year, is competing at the Locarno Film Festival with his second feature, “Ketticè.” The coming-of-age drama is set in 2012 Palermo and centers on two teenagers—Ketty and Giulio—from vastly different socioeconomic backgrounds who form a close friendship.
The narrative explores their relationship as they navigate adolescence during a period characterized by what Tortorici describes as political stagnation, cultural numbness, and the emerging influence of social media. The two protagonists bond over shared experiences that provide them refuge from adult scrutiny. Tortorici employed street casting for most roles, with Rachele Testagrossa and Salvatore Gallina portraying the main characters. Monica Bellucci appears in the supporting role of Giulio’s mother, one of the few professional actors in the cast.
Tortorici drew inspiration for the film from a screenplay he wrote in his early twenties, which he revisited after completing his debut feature. He sought to explore the power dynamics and social hierarchies characteristic of adolescence in his hometown, elements less prominent in his previous work. The character of Ketty represents working-class Palermo culture, while Giulio comes from an aristocratic background, creating a deliberate contrast that drives their attraction to each other.
For Bellucci’s character, Tortorici based the portrayal on upper-class Sicilian women he has encountered, describing them as maintaining public elegance while exhibiting eccentric behavior in private settings. Tortorici praised Bellucci’s understanding of the character’s psychology, noting that those familiar with Palermo’s aristocratic circles found authenticity in her performance.
Luca Guadagnino, who produced both of Tortorici’s features, employs a Socratic approach to mentorship, asking questions that help the director clarify his artistic vision rather than offering direct instructions. Tortorici credited this collaborative method with helping him distinguish between external influences and his own creative convictions.
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