Mario Martone to direct ‘Scherzetto’ film adaptation starring Toni Servillo

The novel ‘Scherzetto’ by Domenico Starnone is being adapted into a film directed by Mario Martone. The film, which will be presented out of competition at the 2026 Venice Film Festival, stars Toni Servillo as Daniele Mallarico, a widowed illustrator living in Milan.

The plot follows Mallarico as he returns to his family home in Naples to care for his five-year-old grandson, Mario, while his daughter and son-in-law attend a conference. The story explores the generational tension and personal ghosts encountered during this family encounter. The production is a collaboration between Mad Entertainment and Rai Cinema, distributed by 01.

Domenico Starnone, an acclaimed Italian author and Strega Prize winner, has a history of seeing his works adapted for stage and screen, including his novel ‘Lacci’.