As a fervent admirer of Italian cinema, I am thrilled to witness the return of Marco Bellocchio, a maestro whose work has always been a testament to the rich tapestry of Italy’s social and political landscape. His latest endeavor, “Portobello,” promises to delve into one of the country’s most contentious travesties of justice – a story that echoes with the resonance of truth and injustice.
Renowned Italian filmmaker Marco Bellocchio is once again taking up his camera to film “Portobello,” a television series that reenacts one of Italy’s most scandalous miscarriages of justice.
The show is their inaugural production, emerging under the banner Our Films, a studio led by acclaimed producers Mario Gianani and Lorenzo Mieli, who are renowned for producing “The Young Pope” and “My Brilliant Friend.
The six-part Bellocchio production will explore the real-life tale of renowned Italian TV presenter Enzo Tortora, known for hosting various programs, including the primetime game show “Portobello” that aired on RAI, Italy’s public broadcasting service, from 1977 through seven seasons.
In 1985, Tortora faced accusations from several former mob members turned informants and state witnesses, claiming he was involved with a Neapolitan criminal organization specializing in drug trafficking. Following a ten-year prison sentence, multiple court appearances, and time spent in prison, Tortora’s conviction was eventually overturned by Italy’s Supreme Court in 1987, fueling the widespread belief that the TV host had been unfairly targeted by corrupt officials due to alleged judicial corruption.
Bellocchio stated that Tortora was unfairly treated: arrested, tried, and convicted, yet he was ultimately cleared only after a prolonged legal journey. He was resilient, but the battle took its toll on him and led to his death,” said Bellocchio in a statement. “I don’t aim to portray Tortora as a saintly figure, but rather to explore the complexities of his character and history,” added the director.
The cast for the film “Portobello” includes Fabrizio Gifuni, a regular collaborator of Bellocchio, who plays Enzo Tortora, alongside Lino Musella, Romana Maggiora Vergano, Barbora Bobulova, Alessandro Preziosi and Fausto Russo Alesi.
Previously, Gifuni portrayed the role of the ex-Italian Prime Minister Aldo Moro in the mini-series “Exterior Night” directed by Bellocchio, which depicts the 1978 kidnapping and eventual murder of Italy’s leader at the hands of Red Brigades terrorists.
This series is jointly spearheaded in production by Our Films, under the leadership of Kavac Film by Marco Bellocchio, and it also involves Arte France, along with Fremantle’s The Apartment Pictures. The script for “Portobello” was penned by Marco Bellocchio, Stefano Bises (from “Gomorrah”), Giordana Mari (“My Love”) and Peppe Fiore (“The King”).
Filming for “Portobello” is now underway in Rome, with additional scenes also being shot in Sardinia, Campania, and Lombardy.
In Rome, the film production company Our Films brings together Gianani and Mieli, who recently left their respective companies under Fremantle’s ownership (Wildside and The Apartment) to establish a new studio affiliated with Mediawan, a European independent studio. During their time at Fremantle, Mieli produced several critically acclaimed films like “Maria” by Pablo Larrain featuring Angelina Jolie and Luca Guadagnino’s “Queer,” which premiered at the Venice Film Festival. Gianani is also a producer of titles such as “The Eight Mountains” by Felix van Groeningen and Charlotte Vandermeersch, as well as Paola Cortelllesi’s box-office success “There’s Still Tomorrow.” Previously, Gianani and Mieli had been partners at Wildside before it was acquired by Fremantle.
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2024-09-25 10:18