French sales powerhouse Charades Films, which is attending MIA Market in Rome this week, has acquired international rights to Emma Dante’s third feature “Misericordia.” The film will premiere in competition at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival on Nov. 11, and will hit theaters via Teodora on Nov. 16 in Italy.
Charades also handled Dante’s last feature, “The Macaluso Sisters,” which was in Venice Competition in 2020 and won the Pasinetti Award. Dante’s feature debut, 2013’s “A Street in Palermo,” was also in Venice Competition and won the best actress award for Elena Cotta’s performance.
“Misericordia” is set in Sicily’s Contrada Tuono, a seaside village with stone huts, surrounded by waste and debris. Behind it, a majestic mountain. This is where Arturo (Simone Zambelli) was born and where his mother died giving birth to him.
Betta (Simona Malato) and Nuccia (Tiziana Cuticchio), with the help of young Anna (Milena Catalano), prostitutes like his mother was, take Arturo in and raise him as if he was their own son.
Now 18 years old, Arturo is not like other people his age. Though he looks like a man, he behaves like a child. He is unable to speak and moves in an odd way. Arturo navigates the world with a soul that is at times too pure but inspires hope and joy in the village. But like everyone else in Contrada Tuono, he must fight for survival.
The cast is led by Simone Zambelli, Simona Malato (“Fireworks,” “The Macaluso Sisters,” winner of the best actress award at Italy’s Golden Globes), Tiziana Cuticchio and Milena Catalano.
The film is produced by Marica Stocchi for Rosamont and co-produced by Rai Cinema.
Charades’ co-founder Yohann Comte said: “It’s a privilege working with Emma Dante, whose signature and intense style is growing on the audience film after film.”
Stocchi said: “I am very proud to be the producer of ‘Misericordia’ and overall to have the honor to follow Emma Dante’s work. She has a unique and outstanding voice. One of the few female director in Italy. To confirm the collaboration with Charades is as well such a privilege: I admire their job and their approach. It will be my first time in Tallinn, I am thrilled!”
Dante said: “I am very happy that Charades will be handling ‘Misericordia’s’ international sales, consolidating our working relationship that began with my previous film, ‘The Macaluso Sisters.’ I am sure we will do a great job together this time too. Regarding Tallinn Black Nights, I am honored and excited to participate in competition at this very prestigious and powerful festival and can’t wait to present my film in Estonia!”
