Discover the Real Naples: Trudie Styler’s Eye-Opening Documentary Challenges Stereotypes!

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Trudie Styler’s documentary, titled “Can I Come In? An Homage to Naples,” which was recently released on Hulu, offers a refreshing perspective on the distinctive southern Italian port city that serves as the setting for the popular “Gomorrah” gangster series.

The renowned documentarian’s work explores the heart of Naples, famed for its resilience, crime, and creative spirit, in part by simply asking, “May I enter?” This question serves as a means to gain access to people’s homes.

The “Ode” by Styler showcases Roberto Saviano, author of the Neapolitan mob expose that served as the foundation for the “Gomorrah” series, Alessandra Clemente, a Naples city councilor who lost her mother in a gangland shooting, representatives from Forti Guerriere, an organization combating domestic violence and femicide, and a musical performance by Sting, who is Styler’s spouse.

In this new version, I have tried to make the sentence more concise while maintaining the original meaning. It now highlights the key figures involved in the “Ode” and their roles or connections, as well as mentioning that Sting, one of the performers, is married to the event organizer.

The film was jointly created by Big Sur, Mad Entertainment, RAI Cinema, and Luce Cinecittà in a collaborative production effort.

Below, Styler engages with EbMaster in a conversation regarding understanding the intricate nature of the city, a place that Naples-native Sophia Loren referred to as “a culture all by itself.

What was your first reaction when you were asked to make this doc?

The initial thought that crossed my mind was, “Have you ever visited Naples?” To this, the response was, “No, I haven’t, not really.” This prompted me to wonder, “Why don’t people usually explore the city properly instead of just passing through?” I then posed the same question to my friends and acquaintances, and the common reply was, “I’ve only gone through it.” When asked why, responses like “dirty” and “dangerous” were often given. With these thoughts in mind, I agreed without hesitation to the idea of creating a documentary, with no preconceived ideas or plan, just to learn more about the city.

“Don Antonio Loffredo, the insightful parish priest of Sanità district in Naples, plays a significant role in revealing some of its main features. His actions are symbolic of those who are working to change its reputation for the better. What do you think about this?”

Indeed, he’s instigating transformation within Sanità by converting his five churches into venues for uplifting activities for the youth such as music ensembles, drama, and even boxing. The main hurdle Sanità faces is ensuring children’s safety. Interestingly, the mothers play a crucial role because many of the fathers are either imprisoned or otherwise unavailable.

He serves as the host for the documentary, and many paths connected Don Antonio to more residents from the neighborhood. The film’s title is “Can I Come In?,” or “Posso Entrare?” The concept revolved around peering into the everyday lives of people living in the street-level “bassi” (residences). This was driven by my innate curiosity as a woman, prompting conversations with numerous mothers and women within the community.

In a lighter vein, the piece starts off featuring Neapolitan rap artist Clementino delivering an explanation-like piece on the roots of Naples’ rap music, a segment possibly created exclusively for this documentary. Can you share how this collaboration took place?

In high-society circles of Naples, I was told that covering our history was crucial. I agreed wholeheartedly, but then wondered how I could do it without boring everyone with a lengthy lecture. While soaking in the tub one evening, inspiration struck – why not condense 3000 years of history into just three minutes? That’s when the idea came to me: I would write a rap! I had met Clementino on several occasions in Ischia and decided to reach out to him for help. We arranged a meeting in Naples, where I explained my vision, and he enthusiastically agreed to create the song for me.

A significant musical event occurred when Sting performed “Fragile” outside the Secondigliano prison, using a guitar crafted from timber salvaged from refugees’ boats. Can you explain how this unique performance transpired?

Antonio shared with me a unique collaboration between two penitentiaries – one located in the north and another in the south – where they were teaching men to craft stringed instruments within these facilities. As I was preparing “Can I Come In?”, Secondiliano mentioned that their first guitar was being made at that time. He suggested that perhaps Sting could play this instrument, as it would be a significant moment for the prisoners. I agreed, and we decided to record the event.

From a visual standpoint, this piece is quite graceful. Can you share some insights about collaborating with the renowned cinematographer Dante Spinotti?

We’ve been friends since 1987, and in 2015, he was the one who filmed my movie about the LGBTQ community titled “Freak Show.” We’re quite close, and I must say, he is an exceptional cinematographer. His work on this documentary added a cinematic touch that was truly remarkable. The cloudscape scene remains a topic of conversation between us to this day. You see, we had been scouting locations for the film when suddenly the skies transformed, prompting us to halt our car. We stepped out and watched as he captured the breathtaking view with his LS-2 camera. I’ve never seen such a beautiful cloudscape before or since, and I believe that moment was one of the blessings bestowed upon the film. There were no enhancements made; it appears color corrected but actually, it is not.

At the end of the credits, you notice that I’ve thanked Luca Guadagnino. This has sparked my curiosity – was this perhaps due to the fact that I collaborated with his regular editor, Walter Fasano?

Indeed, I’m thrilled to share my perspective on this captivating film. My daughter-in-law, Lucy Cooper, is deeply passionate about marine conservation; she’s the ocean’s most ardent advocate. However, her primary profession lies in producing commercials, where she crossed paths with Luca. In my quest for an editor fluent in English, Lucy suggested reaching out to Luca, stating he knew everyone. True to his word, Luca contacted me and recommended his editor, Walter. Our collaboration sparked instantly, and we’ve maintained a friendship ever since, exchanging thoughts once a week. Walter proved to be an exceptional collaborator and a friend I hold dear, possessing a rich musical aptitude that significantly enriched the film.

What would you like the main takeaway of this doc to be, especially for non-Italian viewers?

Experience Naples personally! It’s a treasure trove of sights and knowledge. The city’s rich history is captivating, but the real magic lies in the people. Dive in, let go of any fear, and truly engage with this remarkable place.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

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2025-02-28 19:47