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Mondocane

Play trailer 1:52 Poster for Mondocane Released May 20, 2022 1h 41m Action Crime Fantasy Sci-Fi Play Trailer Watchlist
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67% Tomatometer 18 Reviews 70% Popcornmeter 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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Mondocane

Critics Reviews

View All (18) Critics Reviews
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 William Stottor Loud and Clear Reviews Drawing on franchises such as Mad Max, Mondocane ’s impressive worldbuilding and engaging story stand out even amongst its lack of originality and innovation. Rated: 3.5/5 Jul 18, 2024 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 Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (5) audience reviews
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 Full Review 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 Read all reviews
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Movie Info

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
Producer
Matteo Rovere
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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