The Protagonists (1999 film)
{{Short description|Film by Luca Guadagnino}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox film
| name = The Protagonists
| image = The Protagonists (1999 film) poster.png
| alt =
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = Luca Guadagnino
| writer = Luca Guadagnino
| producer = {{Plainlist|
- Fulvio Colombo
- Massimo Vigliar
}}
| starring = {{Plainlist|
}}
| cinematography = Paolo Bravi
| editing = Walter Fasano
| music = Andrea Guerra
| production_companies = {{Plainlist|
- Surf Film
- Medusa Film
- Tele+
}}
| distributor = Medusa Distribuzione
| released = {{Film date|1999|9|8|Venice|1999|9|10|Italy|df=yes}}
| runtime = 87 minutes
| country = Italy
| language = {{Plainlist|
- English
- Italian
}}
| budget =
| gross =
}}
The Protagonists is a 1999 Italian crime thriller film written and directed by Luca Guadagnino in his directorial debut. It stars Tilda Swinton and Fabrizia Sacchi.
The film had its world premiere at the 56th Venice International Film Festival on 8 September 1999. It was released in Italy on 10 September 1999 by Medusa Distribuzione.
Premise
The film chronicles an Italian film crew who are in London making a reconstruction of the real-life killing of Egyptian chef Mohamed El-Sayed by the two 19-year-olds Jamie Petrolini and Richard Elsey in 1994.
Cast
- Tilda Swinton as Actress
- Fabrizia Sacchi as herself
- Andrew Tiernan as Mohammed
- Claudio Gioè as Happy
- Paolo Briguglia as Billy
- Michelle Hunziker as Sue
- Jhelisa as herself
- Laura Betti as Judge
Production
Production on the film began in 1998, with principal photography taking place in London.{{cite web|url=https://www.economist.com/blogs/prospero/2016/02/qa|title=Luca Guadagnino talks to The Economist about "A Bigger Splash"|website=Economist|author=Prospero|date=February 10, 2016|access-date=June 23, 2017}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/13/movies/13tilda.html?mcubz=0|title=A Guilt Trip That Begot a Partnership|newspaper=The New York Times|first=Brooks|last=Barnes|date=June 11, 2010|access-date=June 23, 2017}}
Release
The Protagonists had its world premiere at the 56th Venice International Film Festival on 8 September 1999.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2010/apr/01/tilda-swinton-luca-guadagnino-interview|title=Tilda Swinton and Luca Guadagnino: a match made in arthouse cinema heaven|newspaper=The Guardian|first=Catherine|last=Shoard|date=April 1, 2010|access-date=June 23, 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://frenesyfilm.com/luca/index.html|title=Luca|publisher=Frenesy Film Company|access-date=June 23, 2017}} The film was released in Italy on 10 September 1999 by Medusa Distribuzione.{{cite web|url=https://mubi.com/films/the-protagonists-1999|title=The Protagonists|website=Mubi|access-date=June 23, 2017}}
It was released in the United Kingdom on DVD on 13 October 2014 by Argent Films.{{cite press release|url=https://fetch.fm/media/uploads/press-releases/2014/09/10/18/16/The_Protagonists_-_Press_Release.pdf|title=The Protagonists|agency=Fetch Publicity|access-date=June 23, 2017}}
=Critical reception=
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb title}}
{{Luca Guadagnino}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Protagonists 1999}}
Category:1999 crime thriller films
Category:1999 directorial debut films
Category:1990s English-language films
Category:1990s Italian-language films
Category:English-language Italian films
Category:Films about filmmaking