Burbank, CA – Principal photography on “Romanzo Criminale,” the latest collaboration between Warner Bros. Pictures Italy and Cattleya, began September 10 in Rome. Warner Bros. Italy holds in-country theatrical and home video distribution rights for “Romanzo Criminale,” an epic crime drama directed by Michele Placido. The announcement was made today by Richard Fox, Executive Vice President, International, Warner Bros. Entertainment.

The stellar cast is led by Stefano Accorsi, Kim Rossi Stuart, Anna Mouglalis, Claudio Santamaria, Pierfrancesco Favino, Riccardo Scamarcio and Jasmine Trinca. The film has a screenplay by Rulli and Petraglia, based on the novel Romanzo Criminale by Giancarlo De Cataldo. It ties themes of romance, political upheaval and organized crime into a fact-based saga about street gangs who attempted to control the underworld of Rome from the mid-1970s through the 1990s.

Director Michele Placido's most recent film, “Ovunque Sei,” was in competition at the 2004 Venice Film Festival in September. Placido, who began his career as an actor, is best known in Italy for his performance as Police Officer Cattani from 1984 to 1989 in the television series “La Piovra.” He has appeared in more than 70 films, playing a wide range of roles that include Padre Pio, mafiosi like his character in “Pizza Connection” (which earned him a Nastro d'Argento), policemen, and lovers.

Placido made his directorial début in 1989 and has since directed seven films. With these films Placido's strong interest in social issues has surfaced. In 1995, Placido directed “Un Eroe Borghese” (“An Everyday Hero”), an intriguing look at a sinister web of power, linking politics and mafia. His other films include “Pummarò,” “Le Amiche Del Cuore,” “Del Perduto Amore," and “Un Viaggio Chiamato Amore.”

Prior to “Romanzo Criminale,” the most recent collaboration between Warner Bros. Pictures Italy and Cattleya was Luca Lucini's first feature, “Tre Metri Sopra Il Cielo” (“Three Steps Over Heaven”).

Said Fox: “We are proud to be partnering again with Cattleya on ‘Romanzo Criminale.’ We have a wonderful cast and a gifted director in Michele Placido, and we look forward to a film that will combine an exciting narrative with strong social drama.”

Simona Benzakein, Vice President, European Productions, Warner Bros. Pictures, agreed: “‘Romanzo Criminale’ has a powerful story in a genre that hasn't been explored in Italy for a long time and we are fortunate to be working with Michele Placido on such a strong and unique film.”

Added Paolo Ferrari, Managing Director, Warner Bros. Pictures Italy: “Michele Placido holds a special place in the heart of the Italian people. It is a pleasure and honour to produce and release the film of this talented director with such a prestigious cast.”

Riccardo Tozzi, head of Cattleya, noted: “We are proud to produce ‘Romanzo Criminale,’ and to continue our association with Warner Bros. Pictures. We believe that the talent involved in this project, the genre it tackles, and the great productive effort put into it will make it a unique and distinctive film in the landscape of Italian cinema.”