HanWay Film has bought the world distribution rights for the next film by Matteo Garrone, Dogman. The English company, who has already distributed Tale of Tales, is already committed with the project Pinocchio, always by Garrone, presently suspended until February 2018. Distribution in Italy and France will be carried out, respectively, by Rai Cinema and Le Pacte, who contribute to the production with Archimede Films, owned by Garrone himself.

Dogman, described by his director as an “urban western”, will tell the story of the “canaro” one of the most gruesome crimes stories occurred in Italy: in the late 80s, in Roman outskirts, Pietro De Negri, a dog groomer (from which the nickname was taken), kidnapped, tortured and killed Giancarlo Ricci, a former boxer and ancient accomplice of Negri for a burglary they had made years before. The homicide is considered one of the most brutal ones in post war Italy. Casting is still to be completed.

As to Pinocchio, filming was expected to start this Spring, but difficulties in raising the budget required for the special effects caused some delays. Le Pacte president Jean Labadie, who has worked with Garrone for years, declared during a meeting on Italian-French co-production in Rome, that the film will be made in any case.