Gomorra

Italy

Synopsis

Power, money and blood: these are the "values" that the residents of the province of Naples and Caserta confront every day. They have practically no choice, and are forced to obey the rules of the "System", the Camorra.
Only a lucky few can even think of leading a "normal" life.
Five stories are woven together in this violent scenario, set in a cruel and ostensibly invented world, but one that is deeply rooted in reality.
Don Ciro is "il sottomarino". He pays the families of the prisoners that are affiliated with his clan, a clan that has the undisputed command of the territory. He is sharp, discreet and carries out his job without getting involved. But at a certain point the clan begins to crumble. Unsure who to take orders from, he has to worry about his own survival.
Totes is 13 years old and can't wait to "grow up". So he begins his training in the school of life, one step at a time, until one day he has to make a decision, an irreversible choice.
Marco and Ciro think they are living in a Brian de Palma film, but in the eyes of the "system" they are only two stray dogs whose acts of bravado are disturbing the orderly routine of business.

Roberto is a university graduate and wants to work. Franco offers him a great opportunity, steady employment with good earning prospects: a job in the field of toxic waste management. But the reality of his task is too disconcerting to Roberto's conscience.

Pasquale is a talented tailor who works under the table for a small enterprise subcontracted by the haute couture clothes industry. Chinese competitors give him the opportunity to teach the secrets of his trade to their workers. He is seduced and gratified by the opportunity and accepts, putting his life in danger.

Director's Statement

The raw material I had to work with when shooting Gomorra was so visually powerful that I mereiy filmed it in as straightforward a way as possible, as if I were a passerby who happened to find myself there by chance.
I thought this was the most effective way of reproducing the feelings I experienced during the time I spent making the film.

Director's Biography

Matteo Garrone was born in Rome in 1968.
He graduated from art school in 1986 and worked as an assistant cameraman and then spent several years dedicated to painting.
In 1996 he won the Sacher Award for his short film "Silhouette".
In 1997, he directed his first feature film, "Terra di Mezzo", produced by his own company, Archimede, and distributed by Tandem.
"Silhouette" won the Special Jury Award and the Cipputi Award at the Turin Film Festival.
In 1998 he filmed the documentary "Oreste Pipolo, fotografo di matrimoni" in Naples and that same year he made his second feature film "Guests", which won the Kodak Award at the Venice Film Festival, a Special Mention at the Angers Film Festival, the Best Film Award at the Valencia Film Festival and the Kodak Award at the Messina Film Festival. His third feature "Roman Summe?' (2000) was presented at the Venice Film Festival. Matteo Garrone achieved public and critic acclaim for "The Embalme?' (2002), presented during the 55th Cannes Festival at the Director's Fortnight.
The film won the David di Donatello for Best Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor, the Nastro d'argento and Ciak d'Oro for Best Film Editing, the Fellini Award for Best Producer, Screenplay, Photography, Art Direction, and Film Distribution. lt also won the Special Jury Award at the Pasolini Film Awards.
In 2005, Matteo Garrone participated in the 54th Berlin Film Festival with his film "First Love" and won the Silver Bear for the Best Soundtrack. The film also won the Nastro d"argento and David di Donatello Award for Best Soundtrack.
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Cast & Crew

Directed by: Matteo Garrone

Written by: Matteo Garrone, Maurizio Braucci, Ugo Chiti, Gianni di Gregorio, Massimo Gaudioso, Roberto Saviano

Produced by: Domenico Procacci

Cinematography: Marco Onorato

Editing: Marco Spoletini

Production Design: Paola Bonfini

Costume Design: Alessandra Cardini

Sound Design: Leslie Shatz

Cast: Toni Servillo (Franco), Gianfelice Imparato (Don Ciro), Maria Nazionale (Maria), Salvatore Cantalupo (Pasquale)

Nominations and Awards

  • European Film 2008
  • European Actor 2008
  • European Director 2008
  • European Screenwriter 2008
  • European Cinematographer – Prix Carlo Di Palma 2008
  • Feature Film Selection 2008