“Ketticè”, the second feature film by 1996-born Italian director Giovanni Tortorici, has secured a spot in the competition at the Locarno Film Festival. Bringing a Palermo-based voice and a flashy visual style featuring Monica Bellucci, the film stands out as one of the festival’s most anticipated Italian entries.
Following up a previous feature is a significant test in cinema. When Tortorici released his previous feature, Diciannove, the industry took note. Now, stepping into the Locarno competition with Ketticè, the young director faces the test of whether early promise translates into lasting auteur longevity.
The Bottom Line
- The Spotlight: Giovanni Tortorici’s second feature Ketticè anchors the Italian presence in the competition at the Locarno Film Festival.
- The Aesthetic: The film leans into an extremely flamboyant directorial style, utilizing slow motion and striking visual techniques alongside a cast that features Monica Bellucci.
- The Festival Landscape: Alongside Tortorici’s work, other domestic titles like Matteo Incollu’s feature debut L’estate che finì due volte are screening in different festival sections.
Unpacking Tortorici’s Flamboyant Sophomore Turn
Locarno serves as a launchpad for cinema, making it the stage for Tortorici’s latest project.
The film opts for an extremely flamboyant directorial approach. Tortorici frequently employs slow motion and eye-catching visual techniques throughout the runtime. Critics note these stylistic flourishes occasionally risk concealing some narrative shortcomings.
Cast Dynamics and the Bellucci Factor
Casting can make or break an indie-leaning auteur picture trying to break through international festival circuits. Ketticè features a mix of newcomers anchoring the narrative alongside seasoned talent.
Most notably, Monica Bellucci portrays the protagonist’s mother, lending international recognition to the project. The lead character benefits from an excellent portrayal, even if some supporting performances are one-dimensional.
| Film Title | Director | Section | Notable Elements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ketticè | Giovanni Tortorici | Competition | Flamboyant style, starring Monica Bellucci |
| L’estate che finì due volte | Matteo Incollu | Locarno Kids | Feature film debut |
Comparing the Sophomore Leap: Diciannove vs. Ketticè
In the ecosystem of contemporary European film finance and festival programming, a director’s second feature is scrutinized for artistic growth. Tortorici previously released Diciannove, setting a bar for narrative tight-roping.
While industry analysts covering the festival point out that the strength of Diciannove is somewhat diluted in this second feature, Ketticè remains packed with merits. The film could arguably have been even more incisive and powerful given Tortorici’s skills, but it holds its ground as one of the most interesting films seen to date in the Locarno competition.
Furthermore, Italian cinema’s footprint at Locarno extends beyond the main competition blocks. Programs like Locarno Kids offer a parallel spotlight for emerging voices, evidenced by Matteo Incollu’s feature debut, L’estate che finì due volte (The Summer That Ended Twice), ensuring a cultural showing for Italian storytelling this season.
The Takeaway
Ketticè challenges viewers to look past traditional narrative structures in favor of cinematic flair. Drop a note in the comments below: do you prefer a director’s tightly controlled debut or the wild, flamboyant ambition of a risky second feature?
