Hey Joe is a 2024 Italian drama film directed by Claudio Giovannesi. It stars James Franco, , Giulia Ercolini, and . It premiered at the 19th Rome Film Festival on 25 October 2024 and received a theatrical release in Italy on 28 November 2024.
Premise An American World War II veteran returns to Naples after 25 years to get to know his son.
Cast James Franco as Dean Barry Gabriel Riley Hill Antunes as young Dean as Enzo Giulia Ercolini as Bambi as Don Vittorio Giada Savi as Lucia Francesca Montuori as Nunzia Donovan W. White
Production The film was announced on 19 October 2023, with James Franco, Francesco Di Napoli, Giulia Ercolini, Aniello Arena, and Francesca Montuori attached to star. Franco had been approached for the film after meeting , one of the film's screenwriters.
Principal photography took place in Naples, Procida, Taranto, and Pizzo. Filming was completed by December 2023.
Release The film premiered at the 19th Rome Film Festival on 25 October 2024. It received a theatrical release in Italy on 28 November 2024. In late May 2025, Glass House Distribution acquired the film for distribution in North America.
Reception Camillo De Marco of Cineuropa wrote that the film "offers beautiful lyrical moments but characters that aren't studied in depth". He further wrote, "It is a shame that the script ... indulges in some simplifications and doesn’t manage to significantly deepen the characters, leaving the spectator with a feeling of irresolution that the consolatory ending doesn’t redeem."
Awards and nominations Award Year Category Recipient(s) Result David di Donatello 2025 Best Cinematography Daniele Ciprì Nastri d'Argento 2025 Best Original Story Maurizio Braucci, Claudio Giovannesi, Sergio Vitolo Best Cinematography Daniele Ciprì Best Sound Angelo Bonanni
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