Monica Bellucci portrays frustrated mother in Luca Guadagnino-produced film Ketticè at Locarno

At the 79th Locarno Film Festival, the Italian coming-of-age picture Ketticè, produced by Luca Guadagnino and directed by former assistant Giovanni Tortorici, was presented. The narrative unfolds in 2012 Palermo, a period marked by Silvio Berlusconi’s media-political influence, and follows disengaged teenager Giulio and his bond with the self-assured Ketty as they search for autonomy. Monica Bellucci appears as Giulio’s mother, an aristocratic woman who feels trapped by societal expectations, expressing her discontent through overeating, television-bound naps, and frequent yelling, which strains her relationship with her son.

The film also stars Salvatore Gallina and Rachele Testagrossa, with Camilla Cattabriga handling cinematography and Marco Costa editing; PiperPlay is responsible for international sales. During a press briefing, Tortorici explained a scene referencing admiration for Benito Mussolini as a commentary on the absurdities of youth culture during the Berlusconi era. Bellucci praised the director’s confidence and the natural, spontaneous performances of the teenage leads.