Italian
Marco Bellocchio returns with ‘Portobello’: A deep dive into a judicial travesty
A new chapter for Marco Bellocchio
Renowned Italian filmmaker Marco Bellocchio is once again stepping behind the camera, this time to direct “Portobello,” a gripping TV series that revisits one of Italy’s most notorious miscarriages of justice. This project is the inaugural venture from Our Films, a new production company spearheaded by the acclaimed producer duo Mario Gianani and Lorenzo Mieli, known for their work on “The Young Pope” and “My Brilliant Friend.”
The story behind ‘Portobello’
“Portobello” is a six-episode series that delves into the real-life saga of Enzo Tortora, a beloved Italian TV host. Tortora was the face of the primetime game show “Portobello,” which aired on Italian state broadcaster RAI from 1977 for seven seasons. In 1985, Tortora’s life took a dramatic turn when he was accused by several alleged ex-mobsters turned informants of being involved in a Neapolitan crime syndicate dedicated to drug trafficking.
Despite being sentenced to ten years in prison and enduring a lengthy trial, Tortora’s conviction was ultimately overturned by Italy’s Supreme Court in 1987. The case sparked widespread belief that Tortora had been the victim of corrupt judicial practices.
Bellocchio’s vision
Bellocchio, known for his nuanced storytelling, aims to explore the complexities of Tortora’s character and the judicial ordeal he faced. “Tortora suffered a great injustice: arrested, tried, and convicted, he was fully acquitted only after a long judicial odyssey,” Bellocchio stated. “He was a fighter, but the fight made him sick and die.” The director emphasized that he does not intend to portray Tortora as a saint-like figure but rather to delve into the intricacies of his personality and the events that unfolded.
The cast and crew
The series features a stellar cast, including Fabrizio Gifuni as Enzo Tortora. Gifuni is a frequent collaborator of Bellocchio and previously starred as former Italian Prime Minister Aldo Moro in Bellocchio’s limited TV series “Exterior Night,” which chronicled the 1978 kidnapping and assassination of Moro by Red Brigades terrorists. The cast also includes Lino Musella, Romana Maggiora Vergano, Barbora Bobulova, Alessandro Preziosi, and Fausto Russo Alesi.
“Portobello” is written by Marco Bellocchio in collaboration with Stefano Bises (“Gomorrah”), Giordana Mari (“My Love”), and Peppe Fiore (“The King”). The series is lead-produced by Our Films in partnership with Bellocchio’s Kavac Film and is co-produced by Arte France and Fremantle’s The Apartment Pictures.
Filming locations and production details
Filming for ”Portobello” has commenced in Rome, with additional locations set in Sardinia, Campania, and Lombardy. The series promises to bring a rich visual tapestry to the screen, capturing the diverse landscapes of Italy.
Our Films: A new beginning
Based in Rome, Our Films marks a new chapter for Gianani and Mieli, who recently left their respective Fremantle-owned banners, Wildside and The Apartment, to launch their new venture. Our Films is part of the European indie studio Mediawan. While at Fremantle, Mieli produced several critically acclaimed films, including Pablo Larrain’s “Maria” starring Angelina Jolie and Luca Guadagnino’s ”Queer”, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival. Gianani, on the other hand, is known for producing Felix van Groeningen and Charlotte Vandermeersch’s “The Eight Mountains”. The duo previously collaborated at Wildside before it was acquired by Fremantle.
A promising future
“Portobello” is poised to be a compelling addition to Bellocchio’s illustrious career, offering a profound exploration of justice, media, and personal struggle. As filming progresses, anticipation builds for what promises to be a thought-provoking and visually stunning series.
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