Sicilian Letters
2024 film by Fabio Grassadonia and Antonio Piazza
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sicilian Letters (Sicilian: Iddu – L'ultimo padrino, lit. 'He – The Last Godfather') is a 2024 crime drama film written and directed by Fabio Grassadonia and Antonio Piazza. The film stars Elio Germano as Sicilian Mafia boss Matteo Messina Denaro and Toni Servillo as Catello, an operative in the Italian secret service.[2]
Antonio Piazza
- Fabio Grassadonia
- Antonio Piazza
- Nicola Giuliano
- Francesca Cima
- Carlotta Calori
- Viola Prestieri
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| Sicilian | Iddu – L'ultimo padrino |
| Directed by | Fabio Grassadonia Antonio Piazza |
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| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Luca Bigazzi |
| Edited by | Paola Freddi |
| Music by | Colapesce |
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Running time | 122 minutes |
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| Box office | $2.3 million[1] |
The film premiered on 5 September 2024 at the 81st Venice International Film Festival, where it competed for the Golden Lion. It was released theatrically in Italy on 10 October 2024 by 01 Distribution and in France on 16 April 2025 by Les Films du Losange.
Premise
In the early 2000s, the embattled politician Catello seeks to revive his career by helping the Secret Service track down the last known Cosa Nostra boss, Matteo Messina Denaro, whom Catello has known his entire life. The two begin corresponding via letters in a game of cat and mouse.[3]
Cast
- Toni Servillo as Catello, a secret services operative
- Elio Germano as Matteo Messina Denaro
- Daniela Marra as Rita Mancuso
- Barbora Bobulova as Lucia Russo
- Giuseppe Tantillo as Pino Tumino
- Fausto Russo Alesi as Emilio Schiavon
- Antonia Truppo as Stefania
- Tommaso Ragno as Papacena
- Betti Pedrazzi as Elvira
- Filippo Luna as Giovannino
- Rosario Palazzolo as Don Gaetano
- Roberto De Francesco as senator
- Vincenzo Ferrera as assessor
- Maurizio Marchetti as Marshal Di Graziano
- Gianluca Zaccaria as Corporal Battaglia
- Lucio Patanè as Mayor Manciaracina
Production
Initially, the film had the working title Lettere a Catello ("Letters to Catello"), a title based on Salvatore Mugno's book about Messina Denaro Lettere a Svetonio.[4] Grassadonia and Piazza worked for two years on the screenplay.[4] The film was shot in the summer of 2023 in Trapani, Sciacca, Salemi and Selinunte.[4]
Release
Sicilian Letters premiered at the 81st Venice International Film Festival on 5 September 2024 as a main competition entry.[5] The film was released theatrically in Italy on 10 October 2024 by 01 Distribution and in France on 16 April 2025 by Les Films du Losange.[6][7]
