DOpe the success of the The boy with pink trousers, Eagle Pictures Back to tell a news fact in a movie. It was February 6, 2020 when in Colleferro Willy Monteiroa 21 -year -old from Capeverdian origin, is killed during a fight between boys.
The first images of the film 40 seconds by Vincenzo Alfieri with Francesco Gheghi (Family), taken from the book 40 seconds. Willy Monteiro Duarte. The light of courage and the darkness of violence by Federica Angeli (published by Baldini+Castoldi), were presented to Giffoni Film Festival. The meeting with the actors and the director moved the audience of boys.
40 seconds: plot of the movie
A quarrel for a simple misunderstanding is transformed into a beating of a Unprecedented violence against Willy Monteiro Duarte, a 21 -year -old boy which, in 40 seconds, is killed. Inspired by a true story, Vincenzo Alfieri’s film with Francesco Gheghi and Justin de Vivo (in the role of Willy), retraces the 24 hours preceding the tragedy, in which random encounters, rivalries and latent tensions intertwine. A dramatic journey that follows different points of view of an affair that in 2020 shaken Italy.
Francesco Gheghi, Vincenzo Alfieri and Justin de Vivo in Giffoni. (Courtesy Press Office)
The true story and the death of Willy Monteiro Duarte
40 secondsstill in the shooting phase, “He tells not only of Willybut of all the people behind his death – said the director to Giffoni – at the beginning I was hesitant, it seemed to be a story that everyone knew. That year he spoke so much, even in an unresolved way. I changed my mind when I read Federica’s book and interviewed Willy’s friends ».
«In reality, people knew nothing about true history – continues Alfieri – I understood that I wanted to tell that phase of life in which young people feel immortal. In the newspapers we were talking about Willy as a hero – he was instead a normal guy who did not do a heroic gesture, but human“.
Francesco Gheghi on the set of “40 seconds”. (Courtesy Press Office)
The story of Willy, who Francesco Belleggia, Mario Pincarelli (sentenced to 21 and 23 years of imprisonment) and the Bianchi brothers involved (The Court of Rome at the Appeal trial Bis sentenced Marco Bianchi to life imprisonment and his brother Gabriele 28 years in prison)he turned on a strong public debate on youth social discomfort and on free violence, bringing to the attention of public opinion urgent issues such as integration, mutual respect and the need to enhance the second generations in Italian society.
The death of Willy Monteiro is the daughter of toxic male chauvinism
“It is a very modern story and at the same time linked to the past Because he is the daughter of toxic male chauvinism – explains the director in front of an audience of young people – this tragedy arises from a boy who tells a “beautiful” girl, and from there a series of events is unleashed. Today the people are concentrated on themselves and little on others. Respect should be The basis of everything, and instead there is no respect at all. It is believed to have made steps forward, instead we are taking steps back ».
Francesco Gheghi at the Giffoni Film Festival. (Courtesy Press Office)
The cast of the film 40 seconds
Francesco Gheghi (Family, Naked hands), fresh winner of the Biraghi Prize At the 2025 silver ribbons, he is one of the interpreters of the film. He plays the role of a boy who triggers the fight. Francesco Di Leva, on the other hand, is the marshal who first intervenes on the scene of the fight. Among others there are also Sergio Rubini, Maurizio Lombardi and Enrico Borello.
There are also many non -professional actors, including Justin de Vivo who plays Willy. «We did a six -month street casting – says Alfieri – It wasn’t easy to find Willy, Everyone remembers him for his smile, sweetness and confidentiality. We searched in the Capeverdian communities of Rome. We wanted to be authentic. We found it in a disco ».
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