Luca Guadagnino, the renowned filmmaker, has taken on a new role as a producer for Giovanni Tortorici's upcoming coming-of-age drama, 'Ketticè'. This move is not just a personal project for Guadagnino, but a statement about the state of Italian cinema. In an interview, Guadagnino expressed his concern over the current state of the Italian film industry, which he believes has become 'sterile' and 'devoid of an idea of language and of an idea of life'. He attributes this to the advent of private TV and the Berlusconi empire, which has led to a decline in the production of diverse films and a shift towards a 'pretension on authorship'.
Guadagnino's decision to produce 'Ketticè' is a way of keeping the tradition of Italian cinema alive. He sees Tortorici as a 'complete rarity' in the current landscape of Italian cinema, and is determined to protect this talent. He believes that by introducing films like 'Ketticè', he is setting up a 'pavement into the future' for Italian cinema.
The film itself is a coming-of-age drama set in Palermo, Sicily in 2012, during the era of Silvio Berlusconi. It follows the story of Giulio, a listless and dissatisfied 16-year-old, and his encounter with Ketty, a more self-assured peer. The two form a close friendship, which offers Giulio an escape from the monotony of his life. The film explores how institutions, such as school, family, and the state, fail kids, and how adults live in a cultural context of ultra-capitalism and media.
In my opinion, Guadagnino's decision to produce 'Ketticè' is a bold move. It shows his commitment to supporting young talent and his belief in the power of cinema to tell stories that matter. However, it also raises questions about the role of producers in the film industry and the responsibility they have to support diverse and innovative voices. As a filmmaker, I think Guadagnino's decision to produce 'Ketticè' is a testament to his passion for cinema and his belief in the power of storytelling. It is a reminder that the film industry needs to support diverse and innovative voices to keep it alive and vibrant.
