Sicilian Letters

Sicilian Letters 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.
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.

Production

Initially, the film had the working title Lettere a Catello, a title based on book about Messina Denaro Lettere a Svetonio. Grassadonia and Piazza worked for two years on the screenplay. The film was shot in the summer of 2023 in Trapani, Sciacca, Salemi and Selinunte.

Release

Sicilian Letters premiered at the 81st Venice International Film Festival on 5 September 2024 as a main competition entry. 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.