Rai Cinema International Distribution has officially boarded acclaimed Italian director Marco Bellocchio’s upcoming feature film Falcon for international sales, as principal photography kicks off in Toronto.
Leading the high-profile cast is Pierfrancesco Favino, who stars alongside Louis Garrel, Benedetta Cimatti, Barbara Ronchi, and feature participation from Valeria Bruni Tedeschi.
Set against the corporate backdrop of legendary Italian car manufacturer Fiat, Falcon charts the tumultuous period around 2004 when the global automotive empire stood on the brink of economic collapse. Favino portrays Sergio Marchionne, the ruthless and visionary executive who stormed in to save the dying industrial giant.
The narrative follows Marchionne as he axes upper management, teaches young heir John Elkann (played by Garrel) the brutal art of command, and takes on American heavyweights General Motors and Chrysler to rescue Fiat from bankruptcy. Described as blending the razor-sharp tension of a financial thriller with deep psychological insight, Falcon explores the heights of modern capitalism and the profound isolation of a tragic victor swallowed by the very corporate machine he saved.
Written by Bellocchio alongside Ludovica Rampoldi, Andrea Di Stefano, Stefano Rulli, and Oliviero Del Papa, the project is produced by Kavac Film and Rai Cinema, with Emotion Network and in collaboration with STLA Europe.
Production began with a two-week shoot in September across Toronto and Niagara Falls. Filming will now move to Rome and Italy's Piedmont region, before returning to Canada and the United States in early 2027. Italian theatrical distribution will be handled by 01 Distribution.
The film reunites Bellocchio with several key long-time creative collaborators, including production designer Andrea Castorina, costume designer Daria Calvelli, and editor Francesca Calvelli—all of whom previously worked with the director on acclaimed projects such as The Traitor, Exterior Night, and Kidnapped. Cinematographer Matteo Cocco also joins the production team for his first collaboration with Bellocchio.
Rai Cinema International Distribution will represent the title globally across upcoming international markets.
