Unveiling the last godfather: A deep dive into ‘Sicilian Letters’
A cinematic journey into the heart of Cosa Nostra
The directorial duo, Fabio Grassadonia and Antonio Piazza, renowned for their work on “Sicilian Ghost Story,” return with a gripping new drama, “Sicilian Letters.” This film, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival, delves into the life of Matteo Messina Denaro, infamously known as “the last godfather” of the Sicilian Mafia.
The plot and its protagonists
“Sicilian Letters” brings together two of Italy’s most celebrated actors, Elio Germano and Toni Servillo, for the first time. Germano portrays Messina Denaro, while Servillo plays Catello, a secret services operative determined to capture him. The film’s title refers to the “pizzini,” small slips of paper used by the Sicilian Mafia for clandestine communication.
The narrative focuses on a period during Denaro’s three-decade-long evasion of justice, highlighting his peak years of criminal activity. Denaro was finally apprehended in January 2023 outside a high-end medical facility in Palermo, where he had been receiving cancer treatment under a false identity. Convicted of orchestrating some of Italy’s most notorious murders, including those of prosecutors Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino, Denaro died in a maximum-security prison in September 2023.
The directors’ perspective
Research and reality
Grassadonia and Piazza spent nearly five years researching Matteo Messina Denaro, striving to separate fact from the myth that surrounded him. The “pizzini” were instrumental in this process, offering a psychological insight into Denaro’s complex personality. Unlike other mafia figures, Denaro’s character was shaped by his father, creating a pathological, patriarchal world. His hyper-narcissistic nature was evident in his letters, yet he was also surrounded by bourgeois influences and was an avid reader, with books by authors like Andre Agassi, Vargas Llosa, Baudelaire, and Dostoyevsky found in his hideout.
Portraying Denaro
The directors were fascinated by two aspects of Denaro’s life: his relationship with his father and his intellectual pursuits. This duality made Denaro a unique figure in the mafia world, blending archaic patriarchal values with a cultivated mind. This complexity is what Germano and Servillo aimed to capture in their performances.
The actors’ approach
Elio Germano and Toni Servillo
Germano and Servillo have distinct methods of character development. Servillo is deeply engaged with the script, while Germano immerses himself in the character, adopting a method-acting approach. Germano even moved to Sicily to live among the locals, returning with an authentic Sicilian accent and mannerisms. This dedication to authenticity brought a profound depth to his portrayal of Denaro.
Cinematic influences
Homage to Pietro Germi
The directors drew inspiration from Pietro Germi’s “In the Name of the Law,” the first Italian film to depict Cosa Nostra. Germi’s work, known for its political undertones and genre-blending, served as a reference point for “Sicilian Letters.” The film aims to tell a relevant story for Italian audiences, using genre elements to explore the grotesque absurdity of the Sicilian world.
The musical landscape
Collaboration with Colapesce
The film’s original score, composed by Sicilian singer-songwriter Colapesce, is inspired by Italian soundtracks of the 1960s. Initially hesitant due to the directors’ minimal use of music in their previous films, Colapesce gradually became more involved in the project. His final contribution, a song with the refrain “La malvagità serve al mondo intero” (“evil serves a purpose for the entire world”), encapsulates the film’s thematic essence, reflecting Denaro’s role in a world that exploited his criminal activities for their own ends.
Final thoughts
“Sicilian Letters” is a compelling exploration of Matteo Messina Denaro’s life, blending meticulous research with powerful performances and evocative music. The film offers a nuanced portrayal of a complex figure, set against the backdrop of Sicily’s dark and corrupt society. For cinema enthusiasts, this film is a must-watch, providing a deep dive into the psyche of one of Italy’s most infamous criminals.
For more information and to watch the trailer, visit Sicilian Letters.