Italian directors Marco and Antonio Manetti, popularly known as the Manetti Bros., are making waves in the film industry once again. Renowned for their work on the “Diabolik” franchise, the duo is now collaborating with filmmaker Daniele Vicari on his forthcoming film, “You Get Tired of Killing.” Based on the life of a real-life gangster who grew weary of running the Mafia’s illicit operations, this movie is currently in pre-production.
Speaking exclusively to Variety at the International Film Festival Rotterdam, where they are being honored with a career-spanning retrospective, the Manetti Bros. confirmed the exciting news about “You Get Tired of Killing.” The film is being produced by their production company, Mompracem, in association with German sales company Beta Film and actor/producer Pier Giorgio Bellocchio, son of renowned Italian director Marco Bellocchio.
Daniele Vicari, the talented filmmaker behind “Diaz — Don’t Clean Up This Blood,” “Velocità Massima,” and the award-winning “The Human Cargo” at the Venice Film Festival, joins a growing pool of talent at Mompracem.
In addition to “You Get Tired of Killing,” Mompracem is also busy with another project in pre-production. They are working on Andree Lucini’s “Raffaella 2000,” a satirical film that pays homage to the iconic Italian showgirl and pop culture icon Raffaella Carrà. This project has already been selected for the prestigious Biennale College Cinema, the Venice Film Festival’s talent development program for emerging professionals.
Marco, sharing his insights on “Raffaella 2000,” described it as a story about a cleaner from Romania who happens to become an internet sensation by creating videos imitating Raffaella Carrà. This film cleverly blends elements of 60s Italian showgirls with the contemporary influencer culture.
“U.S. Palmese” – Courtesy of Mompracem
Apart from these two exciting projects, Mompracem has recently completed post-production on two other films. “Rheingold,” directed by Lorenzo Pullega, is a mockumentary about a filmmaker commissioned to create a movie about the Rhine river in Italy, which shares its name with the German river central to Richard Wagner’s musical drama “The Rhinegold.” The film has already secured Italian distribution with I Wonder Pictures. The Manetti Brothers’ own upcoming feature, “U.S. Palmese,” shot in their mother’s hometown of Palmi, will be distributed by 01 Distribution.
Speaking about “Rheingold,” Marco praised Lorenzo Pullega as a visionary filmmaker with impeccable timing and humor. The movie explores the untold stories of remote places that may seem unimportant but often have incredible tales to tell.
The inspiration for “U.S. Palmese” comes from the duo’s childhood memory of witnessing an elderly man in Palmi who dreamt of raising enough money to buy football legend Maradona for the local team. This heartwarming tale serves as the backdrop for the movie, which marks a nostalgic return to their mother’s roots.
During their insightful conversation at the International Film Festival Rotterdam, the Manetti Bros. shared a sneak peek of “U.S. Palmese.” They emphasized the importance of creative freedom as filmmakers and producers, expressing their desire to work on projects they are truly passionate about rather than being confined to the preferences of potential funders.
As a production company, Mompracem is currently reevaluating its goals and project selection following the passing of their friend and veteran producer, Carlo Macchitella, who was also a co-founder of the company. The brothers aim to strike a balance between being pragmatic producers and following their instincts when choosing projects that resonate with them and have the potential to succeed.
For more information about the Manetti Bros. and their upcoming projects, visit F5mag.com.