I figli della scimmia, the first fiction feature by Tommaso Landucci, with cinematography by Guido Michelotti CCS, was presented in the Orizzonti competition at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival.
The film centres on Dario, played by Riccardo Scamarcio, the father of a disabled child to whom he devotes all his care and attention. His teenage nephew Giacomo awakens in him the desire to experience fatherhood in a different way. Projections, unspoken desires and feelings that are difficult to acknowledge, however, ultimately overwhelm the entire family. The title is inspired by one of Aesop’s fables, in which a monkey, despite having two young, loves and nurtures only her favourite.
Alongside Riccardo Scamarcio, the cast includes Fausto Russo Alesi, Lidiya Liberman, Cristina Odasso, Tancredi Naldini, Andrea Aggio and Luigi Diberti. The screenplay, written by Tommaso Landucci with Damiano Femfert, won the 2021 Franco Solinas Award for Best Screenplay and the Grand Prize at the Jerusalem Sam Spiegel Film Lab.
Produced by Lungta Film, Lebowski and Mosaicon Film, I figli della scimmia is edited by Andrea Maguolo, with production design by Antonella Di Martino and costumes by Giulia Accornero. International sales are handled by PiperPlay, while the film will be released in Italian cinemas by Medusa Film from 17 September 2026.
