Luca Guadagnino Says He Took On Producing Role for Giovanni Tortorici’s ‘Ketticè,’ Citing a “Sterile” Italian Film Environment

Luca Guadagnino said he felt compelled to step in as a producer for Giovanni Tortorici’s second feature, the coming-of-age drama Ketticè, during an appearance at a Swiss film festival where he was also discussing the broader state of Italian filmmaking. In remarks reported by The Hollywood Reporter, Guadagnino linked his support for the project to concerns that contemporary Italian cinema has become “sterile,” and to his view that Tortorici’s story is urgently needed for a new generation of audiences.

Tortorici, described in the report as Guadagnino’s ex-assistant, is the director of Ketticè. The film is presented as a drama focused on young people who grapple with institutional shortcomings, with its narrative rooted in the idea that formal schooling and adult guidance have failed to provide the support and structure that teenagers need.

The Hollywood Reporter said Ketticè depicts a social environment where schools and adults do not fully meet the moment, leaving young characters to confront the consequences of that neglect. The film’s themes, as characterized in the report, use that failure of mentorship as the backdrop for a character-driven exploration of adolescence, with the cast assembled to represent a range of perspectives within a single community.

Guadagnino’s involvement, according to the report, is not limited to general backing. He framed the decision as a practical intervention, saying he “just had to” produce the film, while tying that urgency to his assessment of the current Italian film landscape and what he believes is lacking in mainstream output. While the report centers on his remarks, it does not detail production timelines or financing terms beyond his stated role as a producer.

The film’s cast includes Monica Bellucci, who is named by The Hollywood Reporter as part of Ketticè’s ensemble. Bellucci’s participation is a notable marker for visibility and international interest, given her longstanding profile, and her casting underscores the report’s characterization of the project as both grounded in youth-centered subject matter and oriented toward a broader screen audience.

As of the festival appearance described by The Hollywood Reporter, the next steps for Ketticè beyond the screening and publicity were not specified in the report. The coverage instead emphasizes Guadagnino’s public rationale for taking on the production responsibility and Tortorici’s role as a director emerging from his prior assistant relationship to the filmmaker.

The exchange also highlighted a recurring dynamic in film culture: when established creators lend production support to newer directors, the move can shape which stories reach theaters and streaming platforms, and it can influence how industry institutions respond to demands for more varied depictions of contemporary life. In this case, the report ties that industry choice to a stated belief that young audiences are not currently being served by what is being offered from within Italy’s film ecosystem.