Italian and Belgian talent will be leading the red carpet instead at the opening gala.
De Angelis came across Todaros story through a 2018 speech by Italian Admiral Giovanni Pettorino.
De Angelis talked to Deadline on the eve on the premiere about the film.
Edoardo De Angelis (R) and Pierfrancesco Favino (L)Jacopo Raule/GC Images/Getty Image
DEADLINE:What was it about Salvatore Todaro that drew you to him as a subject for a film?
EDOARDO DE ANGELIS:I wanted to make a film about strength.
I was irritated by the way in which strength is often portrayed in relation to oppression and violence.
ComandanteIndigo Films
Todaro represents another idea of strength, of an individual holding out their hand to the defenseless.
There was also another theme related to the questions Ive asking myself about what it means to be Italian.
I dont agree with this.
A nation born as a melting pot should be welcoming to others.
When Todaro says to the Belgian commander, Were all Italians.
Hes not saying everyone is Italian, he is saying were all human beings.
Individuals didnt have the freedom to go up against that dictatorship.
It had its own rules at sea.
Thats the short circuit I want to generate.
Its a theme which touches humanity because were talking about strength and hospitality.
What was the thinking behind this?
It measured 73-metres in length and seven metres in width and we used 70 tons of steel.
It was built at Cinecitta and then transported to Taranto [which is home to Italys submarine fleet).
It was important for me to shoot there.
We got a lot of support from the submarine corp.
They were always by my side as consultants, helping me at every step, giving me advice.
DE ANGELIS:We share the same agent who connected us.
We share the same deep work ethic.
The shooting conditions were sometimes difficult.
We were shooting in open water with special effect waves throwing thousands of litres of water at the cast.
It was December and nighttime.
Some of the cast didnt manage to finish the shoots.
Pierfrancesco stayed the course, giving an example, like a real commander.
DE ANGELIS:For me, making a film is always a political act.
