Italo auteur Amelio catches 'Fire'

Film is adaptation of A.B. Yehoshua's novel

By NICK VIVARELLI

Italo auteur Gianni Amelio will shoot an adaptation of celebrated Israeli author A.B. Yehoshua's "Friendly Fire," a novel set in Tel Aviv and in Tanzania that interweaves contempo life in Israel and South Africa.

 Amelio's ambitious "Fire," which is in development, will be produced by Cattleya, the prominent Italo indie in which Universal holds a stake. Grazia Volpi, who is also the Taviani brothers' regular producer, will co-produce with Cattleya.

Cattleya topper Riccardo Tozzi said Amelio will pen a first draft of the script, which will then be honed by an Israeli scribe.

Meanwhile, Amelio in September will begin principal photography in Algeria on his previously announced adaptation of Albert Camus' last novel, "The First Man," with Gallic stars Jacques Gamblin and Denis Podalydes attached along with Claudia Cardinale. Italo actress Maya Sansa has also joined the cast.

 "The First Man" is produced by Cattleya and Gaul's Bruno Pesery with Wild Bunch handling international sales.

Amelio last year replaced Nanni Moretti as artistic director of the ultra-indie Turin Film Festival, which runs in late November. He has said helming "The First Man" will not conflict with his fest duties.

Amelio's previous features include "Lamerica," "Stolen Children" and Venice Golden Lion winner "The Way We Laughed."