James Franco-Starrer ‘Hey Joe’ Set to World Premiere at Rome Film Festival

As a seasoned movie critic with a keen eye for gritty dramas and a soft spot for stories of redemption, I eagerly await the world premiere of “Hey Joe” at the Rome Film Festival. The intriguing plot, set against the backdrop of post-World War II Naples, promises a compelling narrative that delves into the complexities of love, loss, and the struggle to find one’s place in a rapidly changing world.


Marking my calendar for next month, I’m thrilled to share that as a movie enthusiast, I can’t wait to catch the world premiere of ‘Hey Joe’, a gripping drama starring James Franco. His portrayal of a U.S. Navy sailor in post-World War II Naples is something I’ve been eagerly anticipating, and it will be screening at the Rome Film Festival!

The hard-edged movie, helmed by Claudio Giovannesi (“Gomorrah” TV series, “Piranhas”), is being jointly produced by Palomar of Italy and RAI Cinema, with RAI Cinema set to release it in Italy. Vision Distribution International takes care of international distribution deals.

In the movie titled “Hey Joe,” Franco portrays the character of Dean Barry, an American sailor who lands in war-ravaged Naples at age 23 during World War II. He develops feelings for a poverty-stricken local girl named Lucia. After a few years, Dean is compelled to return to New Jersey, leaving Lucia on her own and pregnant. Years later, he goes back to Naples in search of Lucia and their son, Enzo. However, the city has undergone significant changes, and Dean must grapple with these alterations as the story unfolds towards an unexpected conclusion. Franco performs his role in both English and Italian within the film.

Previously a prominent figure in Hollywood, Franco has been accepting roles outside of the U.S. after a 2019 lawsuit concerning sexual exploitation of students in his acting class, which has since been resolved. This year marks his comeback to film with the French action-thriller “The Price of Money: A Largo Winch Adventure,” being his first project post-lawsuit.

The “Hey Joe” script was penned by Giovannesi and esteemed Neapolitan author Maurizio Braucci, who has collaborated with Giovannesi before on the drama “Piranhas.” This film, a story about a group of Neapolitan teenagers, received the Silver Bear for best screenplay at the 2019 Berlin Film Festival.

The movie’s ensemble includes Francesco Di Napoli (from “Piranhas”), Giulia Ercolini, Aniello Arena (known for “Reality” and “Fiore”), and Francesca Montuori (who appeared in “My Brilliant Friend”).

The 19th edition of the Rome Film Festival will run Oct. 16-27.

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2024-09-20 15:46