Mondocane

Released May 20, 2022

1h 41m

Action

Crime

Fantasy

Sci-Fi

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63%

Tomatometer

19 Reviews

70%

Audience Score

Fewer than 50 Ratings

In the not-too-distant future on Italy's southern coast, the city of Taranto has become a toxic wasteland ruled by warring gangs and surrounded by barbed wire, where best friends Pietro (nicknamed Mondocane) and Cristian (nicknamed Pisspants) dream of escaping their hardscrabble existence for a better life in nearby New Taranto. Opportunity knocks when Hothead, the charismatic and dangerous leader of a local gang called the Ants, recruits the two boys and gives them everything they fantasized about: money in their pockets, a family, and a father figure. The friendship begins to splinter, though, as Cristian displays a surprising talent for mayhem and quickly rises through the ranks. With a new female friend pushing them further apart, an obsessed cop hounding the gang, and Hothead becoming increasingly unhinged, the boys barrel toward a confrontation that will determine if their bond is strong enough to survive. Recalling everything from Mad Max to Lord of the Flies, from Oliver Twist to Waterworld, director Alessandro Celli's thrilling feature debut is a stylish post-apocalyptic vision and an inspiring testament to the power of friendship in an unjust world.

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William Bibbiani

TheWrap

Big on attitude but very short on details, presenting a world of violent gangs and oppressive police against a backdrop so similar to today, and so unexplored in all its sci-fi trappings, that one can’t help but wonder why it’s set in the future at all.

May 21, 2022

Full Review

Robert Daniels

indieWire

This Italian post-apocalyptic film from director Alessandro Celli angles for child soldier depravity without any of the heart.

Rated: C-

May 20, 2022

Full Review

Jeannette Catsoulis

New York Times

This cynical, near-future crime thriller, with its Hunger Games morality and Mad Max aesthetic, is too busy glamorizing cruelty to allow its central relationship to resonate.

May 19, 2022

Full Review

Peter Canavese

Celluloid Dreams

A bit on-the-nose at times and under cooked in its overall conception, but it's visually arresting, well acted and invests you with a strong rooting interest.

Rated: 2.5/4

Jun 30, 2022

Full Review

Oscar Goff

Boston Hassle

Though not a perfect movie, Mondocane is exactly what it should be: an impeccably crafted little genre film with faith in its own concept and a cast strong enough to carry it.

Jun 10, 2022

Full Review

Jennie Kermode

Eye for Film

Brilliantly played, Testacaldo is one of the most interesting antagonists to emerge from Italian cinema for years.

Rated: 4.5/5

Jun 8, 2022

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Patrick S

Gritty, dystopian-future movie. Fascinating dynamic between the criminal leader and his followers.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

05/16/23

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Emily r

very nice italian movie, i watch it after the new york times put it in a list of five science fiction movies to stream. a very good suggestion for a very very very good movie. the kids are fantastic, the directing too!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/18/23

Full Review

Francesca D

Great dystopia set in a futuristic, polluted italian city. A modern tale with a real vision. Alessandro Borghi is a guarantee, but the real surprise are the two young main character. Very very good

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/18/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Progetto estremamente ambizioso, soprattutto nelle prime fasi in cui si apre un mondo post apocalittico per nulla scontato e tutto da esplorare. Nel seguito ci si concentra forse un pelo troppo sui personaggi piuttosto che sull'ambiente, che finisce col restare abbastanza sconosciuto per tutta la durata. Alessandro Borghi si diverte potendo dare sfogo a tutta la sua abilità senza porsi freni di alcun tipo. La trama resta interessante e ben strutturata, seppure date le premesse era lecito aspettarsi qualcosa di più originale. Progetto interessante non sfruttato a pieno.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/12/23

Full Review

brent m

In a world of the future characterized by environmental degradation, rampant brutal crime, out-of-control gang activity, and an ever-widening gap between haves and have-nots, life is a struggle for those who've been left to fend for themselves. Such is the case for a pair of Italian teenage street urchins living by their wits to survive. They have few choices, and most of them aren't good. And, as their story unfolds, matters tend to go from bad to worse. These are the circumstances graphically depicted in director Alessandro Celli's allegorical debut narrative feature, whose story realistically could be as much about the present as it is about what's to come. Because of that, this cautionary tale that echoes elements of "Blade Runner" (1982) and the "Mad Max" franchise isn't especially revelatory but serves more as yet another reminder of where we're headed as a civilization, one that will probably be seen more as an action-adventure entertainment vehicle than a statement meant to be taken as a warning. The picture's tendency to meander, its lack of narrative specifics in some regards and its incomplete resolution of several story threads don't help, either, despite the screenplay's noteworthy introduction of a number of intriguing concepts and characters. The bottom line here is that this release could have used some script tweaking and tighter editing to make for a better offering -- and it's unfortunate that these measures weren't implemented.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Manny P

As one of the critics pointed out, this isn't far from the current truth. I worked there and you had to have eyes in the back of your head.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

06/11/22

Full Review

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Alessandro Celli

Director

Alessandro Borghi

Testacalda

Dennis Protopapa

Mondocane

Giuliano Soprano

Pisciasotto

Ludovica Nasti

Sabrina

Adriano Novelli

Bombino

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Mondocane: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

In the not-too-distant future on Italy's southern coast, the city of Taranto has become a toxic wasteland ruled by warring gangs and surrounded by barbed wire, where best friends Pietro (nicknamed Mondocane) and Cristian (nicknamed Pisspants) dream of escaping their hardscrabble existence for a better life in nearby New Taranto. Opportunity knocks when Hothead, the charismatic and dangerous leader of a local gang called the Ants, recruits the two boys and gives them everything they fantasized about: money in their pockets, a family, and a father figure. The friendship begins to splinter, though, as Cristian displays a surprising talent for mayhem and quickly rises through the ranks. With a new female friend pushing them further apart, an obsessed cop hounding the gang, and Hothead becoming increasingly unhinged, the boys barrel toward a confrontation that will determine if their bond is strong enough to survive. Recalling everything from Mad Max to Lord of the Flies, from Oliver Twist to Waterworld, director Alessandro Celli's thrilling feature debut is a stylish post-apocalyptic vision and an inspiring testament to the power of friendship in an unjust world.

Director: Alessandro Celli
Screenwriter: Alessandro Celli, Antonio Leotti
Distributor: Kino Lorber
Production Co: Apulia Film Commission, Regione Lazio, Groenlandia, RAI Cinema, Minerva Pictures, Regione Puglia
Genre: Action, Crime, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
Original Language: Italian
Release Date (Theaters): May 20, 2022, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 7, 2022
Box Office (Gross USA): $4.9K
Runtime: 1h 41m
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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