Gomorrah
Overview
An inside look at Italy's modern-day crime families, the Camorra in Naples and Caserta. Based on a book by Roberto Saviano. Power, money and blood: these are the "values" that the residents of the Province of Naples and Caserta have to face every day. They hardly ever have a choice and are forced to obey the rules of the Camorra. Only a lucky few can even think of leading a normal life.
Backdrop
What makes this movie Worth Watching
Gomorrah is based on Roberto Saviano's investigative book of the same name, which exposed the inner workings of the Camorra, the Neapolitan mafia. Saviano faced death threats after its publication and has been under police protection ever since, highlighting the real-world dangers of challenging organized crime in Italy.
- The film offers a brutally realistic and unflinching portrayal of organized crime, eschewing romanticization for stark authenticity.
- The ensemble cast, featuring mostly non-professional actors, delivers incredibly naturalistic and compelling performances.
- The narrative structure, following multiple interconnected storylines, provides a comprehensive and multifaceted view of the Camorra's pervasive influence.
- It explores complex themes of poverty, powerlessness, and the cycle of violence that entraps individuals in criminal organizations.
Fun Facts
- Many of the locations used in the film were actual Camorra strongholds, adding to the film's sense of realism.
- Several of the actors involved in the film were actually associated with the Camorra or had close ties to the criminal underworld.
- The director, Matteo Garrone, deliberately avoided traditional cinematic techniques like close-ups and dramatic music to maintain a documentary-like feel.