It is Matteo Garrone’s turn to direct his version of Pinocchio, with Roberto Benigni in the role of Geppetto, the father of Collodi’s legendary puppet. Principal photography will begin in the New Year and continue for about three months, in Tuscany, Lazio and Apulia.
The film is an Italian-French co-production, produced by Archimede with Rai Cinema and by Le Pacte in association with Recorded Picture Company. It will be distributed in Italy by 01 Distribution, in France by Le Pacte and internationally by HanWay Films.
The story of Pinocchio has enchanted numerous directors before Garrone. In 1940, Walt Disney made it into a famous animated film which won two Oscars© the following year, for Best Soundtrack and Best Song (When You Wish Upon a Star). In 1971, Luigi Comencini directed a six-episode mini-series for television, The Adventures of Pinocchio, starring Nino Manfredi and Gina Lollobrigida. And, of course, Benigni himself directed and starred in a 2002 version.