Indiana Production, a prominent Italian production company, is making waves in the industry after joining the pan-European studio Vuelta Group. The company is staying true to its roots with the start of production this month on the gender swap comedy film “Romeo is Juliet,” directed by renowned comedy specialist Giovanni Veronesi.
The film, which is part of Indiana’s diverse slate, features A-list actor Sergio Castellitto and rising star Pilar Fogliati. Fogliati plays Vittoria, an actress who, after being rejected in her audition for the role of Juliet in Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet,” reinvents herself as a man to audition for Romeo and secures the part. The movie is being produced by Indiana and co-produced by Capri Entertainment, with distribution in Italian theaters by Vision Distribution.
Since its establishment in 2005, Indiana Production has steadily grown in both the film and TV sectors. The company has forged partnerships with Italian directors who straddle the line between being auteurs and commercial successes. Some notable collaborations include Paolo Virzì (“The Human Capital”), Gabriele Salvatores (“Casanova’s Return”), Andrea Di Stefano (“The Last Night of Amore”), and Daniele Luchetti (“Trust”). In addition, they have also worked with promising young Italian filmmakers.
Indiana’s recent successes include the launch of two films at the Venice Film Festival: Giorgio Diritti’s “Lubo” and the drama “L’ordine del tempo” directed by Liliana Cavani. On the TV front, Indiana is gearing up for the release of the immigration-themed drama series “Unwanted” in collaboration with Pantaleon Films and the highly anticipated historical drama “The Leopard” for Netflix Italy.
Furthermore, Indiana’s advertising unit has proven to be a lucrative venture, consistently delivering high-profile campaigns such as the FIAT 500 E car commercial featuring Leonardo DiCaprio and directed by James Gray.
By joining Vuelta Group, led by former Canal+ and Goldman Sachs executive Jerome Levy and longtime partner David Atlan-Jackson, Indiana expands its horizons. Vuelta Group has a strong international presence through its subsidiaries, including Playtime Group in Paris, Square One in Germany, and Scanbox in Scandinavia.
Variety had the opportunity to speak with Indiana partners Benedetto Habib and Daniel Campos Pavoncelli about their decision to join Vuelta Group. Habib noted that Vuelta’s business model, which combines distribution and production, aligns with Indiana’s aspirations for growth. He emphasized that the partnership allows for shared evaluations of projects, offering a competitive advantage and mitigating risks in an industry where size and international reach play vital roles.
Pavoncelli added that the companies within Vuelta Group are an ideal fit for Indiana. They have already collaborated with Square One and Playtime in the past, establishing a mutual understanding and taste. The synergy lies in the opportunity for regular feedback, enabling the evaluation of projects’ potential in specific countries. The market knowledge possessed by Vuelta Group’s subsidiaries proves to be a significant advantage.
When discussing the challenges of the current market landscape, Habib acknowledged the uncertainty but expressed confidence in Indiana’s preparedness. With increased bargaining power and a broader scope for distribution, the company can revert to traditional business models that rely on box office revenues. He also mentioned the possibility of introducing Vuelta’s projects to the Italian market as a solution to the changing landscape.
Pavoncelli highlighted that the industry is moving towards a model reminiscent of the early days of TV, with co-productions and territory-based licensing playing significant roles. Vuelta Group is well-positioned for this shift.
Indiana Production’s partnership with Vuelta Group represents an exciting new chapter for the Italian production company. With their strong track record and the added support of Vuelta’s subsidiaries, Indiana looks set to continue its success in both the film and TV industries.
