EXCLUSIVE: James Franco-starring Italian drama Hey Joe is getting a domestic theatrical and VOD release from Studio Dome this month.
The Claudio Giovannesi-directed film will open in select theaters beginning March 20, launching with a special screening at LOOK Cinemas followed by a Q&A with Franco.
Pic follows Dean Barry (Franco), an American WWII veteran who returns to Naples in the early 1970s after learning he has a son he has never met. Francesco Di Napoli co-stars as Enzo, Dean’s estranged son, alongside Giulia Ercolini, Aniello Arena and Giada Savi.
Shot on location across Naples, Procida, Taranto and Pizzo, the film is produced by Palomar with Rai Cinema and Vision Distribution. The screenplay is by Giovannesi, Maurizio Braucci and Massimo Gaudioso, with cinematography by Daniele Ciprì and editing by Giuseppe Trepiccione.
The film was originally picked up by Glass House Distribution last year, but that company was acquired by Shaked Berenson’s Studio Dome. Tom Malloy, Glass House’s CEO was minted Studio Dome’s COO. Domestic labels Entertainment Squad and PrideFlix were also acquired by Studio Dome.
The film premiered at the Rome Film Festival in 2024 and was released theatrically in Italy shortly after.
“Hey Joe is a powerful story about connection and second chances,” said director Claudio Giovannesi. “We’re excited for audiences in the U.S. to discover it.”
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