gomorrah - ifc films press notes

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PRESENTS GOMORRAH Directed by MATTEO GARRONE Based on the book GOMORRAH by ROBERTO SAVIANO 135 MINUTES – COLOR –– ITALIAN W/ENGLISH SUBTITLES – NOT RATED 2:35 - SR/SRD (DOLBY DIGITAL) DISTRIBUTION CONTACT: NEW YORK PUBLICIST : LA PUBLICIST: AWARDS PUBLICITY: COURTNEY OTT SUSAN NORGET/CHARLIE OLSKY RELEASE/HFPA/AMPAS SETH HYMAN LAURA SOK SUSAN NORGET FILM PROMOTION FREDELL POGODIN/BRADLEY JONES MICHAEL KUPFERBERG IFC FILMS 198 SIXTH AVE., STE. 1 FREDELL POGODIN & ASSOCIATES 42 WEST PUBLICITY/MARKETING New York, NY 10013 7223 BEVERLY BLVD., #202 220 W. 42 nd St. T: 646.273.7214 / 917.542.6330 T: 212.431.0090 LOS ANGELES, CA 90036 New York, NY 10036 [email protected] F: 212.680.3181 T: 323.931.7300 T: 212.277.7555 [email protected] [email protected] F: 323.931.7354 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 1

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The talk of the 2008 Cannes Film Festival where it won the Grand Prix, Matteo Garrone’s GOMORRAH has quickly established itself as a redefinition of the mafia film and one of the best of the year. Based on the best-selling novel by Roberto Saviano, whose life was threatened after its release and has since gone into hiding, GOMORRAH reveals bitter truths about life under the infamous Naples mob syndicate, the Camorra. The film is not only a shocking document of the Camorra's reign of terror, but a new classic of Italian cinema celebrated beside the work of Francesco Rosi, Roberto Rosselini and the famous mafia films of Scorsese, Coppola and DePalma. Trapped within a brutal system that values power, money, and blood above all else, the people of Naples have no choice but to serve the “system” of the corrupt Camorra. GOMORRAH weaves together five stories of life in a vicious circle of greed, betrayal, and cruelty: we share the perspectives of a mafia money man who finds his status slipping away; a 13 year-old boy being drawn into a dangerous life; two teenagers whose egos make them easy targets; a university graduate whose ambitions are dashed; and a talented craftsman seduced by the seedy side of business. GOMORRAH displays an ornate array of characters who find a way to live their lives despite the twisted policies of the mob.

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: GOMORRAH - IFC Films Press Notes

PRESENTS

GOMORRAH

Directed by MATTEO GARRONE

Based on the book GOMORRAH by ROBERTO SAVIANO

135 MINUTES – COLOR –– ITALIAN W/ENGLISH SUBTITLES – NOT RATED2:35 - SR/SRD (DOLBY DIGITAL)

DISTRIBUTION CONTACT: NEW YORK PUBLICIST: LA PUBLICIST: AWARDS PUBLICITY:COURTNEY OTT SUSAN NORGET/CHARLIE OLSKY RELEASE/HFPA/AMPAS SETH HYMANLAURA SOK SUSAN NORGET FILM PROMOTION FREDELL POGODIN/BRADLEY JONES MICHAEL KUPFERBERGIFC FILMS 198 SIXTH AVE., STE. 1 FREDELL POGODIN & ASSOCIATES 42 WESTPUBLICITY/MARKETING New York, NY 10013 7223 BEVERLY BLVD., #202 220 W. 42nd St.T: 646.273.7214 / 917.542.6330 T: 212.431.0090 LOS ANGELES, CA 90036 New York, NY [email protected] F: 212.680.3181 T: 323.931.7300 T: [email protected] [email protected] F: 323.931.7354 [email protected]

[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

www.ifcfilms.comFor images please visit our extranet: www.ifcfilmsextranet.com

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FILM FESTIVALS & AWARDS

TELLURIDE FILM FESTIVAL 2008TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2008

NEW YORK FILM FESTIVAL 2008CHICAGO INT’L FILM FESTIVAL 2008 / GOLDEN HUGO FOR BEST

SCREENPLAYAFI FILM FESTIVAL 2008

EUROPEAN FILM AWARDS 2008 / WINNER – BEST FILM, DIRECTOR, SCREENPLAY, ACTOR (TONI SERVILLO), & CINEMATOGRAPHY

2008 SATELLITE AWARDS / NOMINATED FOR BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM

2008 INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARDS / NOMINATED FOR BEST FOREIGN FILM

2008 BFCA CRITICS CHOICE AWARDS / NOMINATED FOR BEST FOREIGN FILM

2009 GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS / NOMINATED FOR BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM

OFFICIAL SELECTION - ITALYBEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM - ACADEMY AWARDS 2008

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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 of whom to take orders from, he has to worry about his own survival.

Totò 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 an irreversible decision.

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.

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DIRECTOR’S NOTE

The raw material I had to work with when shooting GOMORRAH was so visually powerful that I merely 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.

-Matteo Garrone

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THE CRIMINAL EMPIRE

BASED ON THE BOOK “GOMORRAH”

BY ROBERT SAVIANO

Italian organized crime is an enterprise that generates war. It is responsible for 10,000 deaths in a 30 year period. According to official figures, there have been fewer victims in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict since the beginning of the Intifada. This “enterprise” is also one of the most powerful in Italy and one of the strongholds of the economy in Europe, with business estimated at 150 billion euros per year. The entire FIAT Group has a global turnover of 58 billion euros per year. 

Over the last 30 years, the Camorra alone has murdered 4,000 people, more than any other criminal organization or terrorist group. It has killed more people than the IRA, ETA, Islamic terrorist groups and Cosa Nostra. 

The numerous clans that make up the Camorra have divided up a densely-populated area which includes the provinces of Naples and Caserta. The frontiers of this boundless and invisible kingdom expand daily and the clans’ command over it is total.  

The Camorra doesn’t only earn money through illegal drug and arms trafficking or through the “protection” racket but by doing business in the construction, tourism, textiles, transport, fuel, distribution, food, supermarkets, restaurants, shops, cinemas and banking sectors. The immense earnings generated by these illegal activities are then reinvested in numerous legal activities that extend well beyond national borders, from Taiwan to Aberdeen. The Camorra has even bought shares in the reconstruction of the Twin Towers in New York City. 

It has thousands of “members” in every social class: doctors, businesspeople, chemists, engineers, blue collar workers, construction workers, garbage collectors and street sweepers, psychologists, grocery owners, tailors and farmhands. It also hires children who are “employed” as drug dealers, look-outs, delivery boys and even as soldiers, who go from being teenagers to being killers in no time at all. According to the National Anti-Mafia Department, the Mafias in Italy have an army counting 25,000 and about 200,000 direct supporters. 

Thanks to its competitive prices, the Camorra has a monopoly on toxic waste dumping. For over thirty years, many companies from Northern and Central Italy, with the help of mediators linked to companies owned by the Camorra, have buried their toxic waste in Southern Italy, poisoning farmlands and contributing to the exponential growth of tumors among the population. If the illegal waste managed by the clans was

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accumulated, it would create a 14,600 meter-high mountain with a base measuring three hectares, almost double the highest mountain in the world, Mount Everest, which is only 8,850 meters high.           

In the fashion sector, the Camorra runs the production of fake designer clothes but it is also involved in the manufacturing of some of the most prestigious Italian fashion design through an extensive network of illegal companies which depend on the clan for credit.

Scampia, a suburb north of Naples, is considered to be the largest “open-air” drug marketplace in the world. Daily drug trade earnings for a single clan amount to approximately 500,000 euros. This is where the feud inside one of the most powerful clans began, a feud that produced dozens of deaths in only a few weeks beginning in February 2004.

The stories you are about to see were taken from real life. These facts happened and continue to happen in Neapolitan districts such as Scampia or in the area of Caserta. There, as in other places, the lives of thousands of men and women, many very young, are controlled and ruled by criminal forces and their violence.

-Roberto Saviano

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CREW BIOGRAPHIES

MATTEO GARRONE - Director and Screenwriter

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 SUMMER (2000) was presented at the Venice Film Festival.

Garrone achieved public and critical acclaim for THE EMBALMER (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. It 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 awards for Best Soundtrack.

DOMENICO PROCACCI - ProducerFandango’s Domenico Procacci is one of Italy’s best known and most prolific producers. His credits date back to 1987 and include the films of such notable directors as Gabriele Muccino REMEMBER ME, THE LAST KISS, PAOLO SORRENTINO, THE CONSEQUENCES OF LOVE, THE FAMILY FRIEND, Sergio Rubini LATERRA, Emmanuele Crialese RESPIRO, Antonello Grimaldi QUIET CHAOS, TEN CANOES and BAD BOY BUBBY, Richard Lowenstein HE DIED WITH A FALAFEL IN HIS HAND, and many others. Procacci was awarded the David di Donatello three times , for THE LAST KISS, RESPIRO and THE CONSEQUENCES OF LOVE. He is the producer of Matteo Garrone’s previous films, FIRST LOVE and THE EMBALMER.

FILMOGRAPHY2008 CAOS CALMO (QUIET CHAOS) directed by Antonello Grimaldi

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2007 LA GIUSTA DISTANZA (THE RIGHT DISTANCE) directed by Carlo Mazzacurati

LASCIA PERDERE JOHNNY( DON’T WASTE YOUR TIME, JOHNNY) directed by Fabrizio Bentivoglio

SILK – directed by Francois Girard LE RAGIONI DELL’ARAGOSTA (SYMPATHY FOR THE LOBSTER) directed by Sabina Guzzanti

2006 TEN CANOES directed by Rolf De Heer L’AMICO DI FAMIGLIA (THE FAMILY FRIEND) directed by Paolo

Sorrentino LA GUERRA DI MARIO (THE MARIO’S WAR) directed by di Antonio

Capuano LA TERRA (THE LAND) directed by Sergio Rubini

2005 TEXAS directed by Fausto Paravidino, L’ORIZZONTE DEGLI EVENTI (THE HORIZON OF EVENTS) directed by

Daniele Vicari TICKETS drected by Ermanno Olmi, Abbas Kiarostami and Ken Loach

EROS drected by Wong Kar Wai, Steven Soderbergh and Michelangelo Antonioni

2004 NEMMENO IL DESTINO (CHANGING DESTINY) directed by Daniele Gaglianone LAVORARE CON LENTEZZA (RADIO ALICE) directed by Guido Chiesa

LE CONSEGUENZE DELL’AMORE (THE CONSEQUENCES OF LOVE) directed by Paolo Sorrentino

OGNI VOLTA CHE TE NE VAI directed by Davide Cocchi PRIMO AMORE (FIRST LOVE) directed by Matteo Garrone

2003 ORA O MAI PIU’ (NOW OR NEVER MORE) Directed by Lucio Pellegrini SEGRETI DI STATO (SECRET FILE) Directed by Paolo Benvenuti LIBERI directed by Gianluca Maria Lavarelli B. B. & IL CORMORANO directed by Edoardo Gabbriellini RICORDATI DI ME (REMEMBER ME) directed by Gabriele Muccino VELOCITA’ MASSIMA (V-MAX) directed by Daniele Vicari L’IMBALSAMATORE (THE EMBALMER) directed by Matteo Garrone

2002 SAMSARA Directed by Pan Nalin RESPIRO (GRAZIA’S ISLAND) directed by Emanuele Crialese DA ZERO A DIECI (FROM ZERO TO TEN) directed by Luciano Ligabue

2001 THE BANK directed by Robert Connolly HE DIED WITH A FALAFEL IN HIS HAND directed by Richard

Lowenstein DUST Directed by Milcho Manchevski L’ULTIMO BACIO (THE LAST KISS) directed by Gabriele Muccino

2000 LUPO MANNARO directed by Antonio Tibaldi

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IL PARTIGIANO JOHNNY (JOHNNY, THE PARTISAN) directed by Guido Chiesa CALLE 54 directed by Fernando Trueba FUGHE DA FERMO directed by Edoardo Nesi THE MONKEY'S MASK directed by Samantha Lang

1999 COME TE NESSUNO MAI (BUT FOREVER IN MY MIND) directed by Gabriele Muccino 1998 THE WAR ZONE directed by Tim Roth

RADIOFRECCIA (RADIO NIGHTS) directed by Luciano Ligabue ECCO FATTO (THAT’S IT) directed by Gabriele Muccino DANCE ME TO MY SONG directed by Rolf de Heer LE MONDE À L’ENVERS directed by Rolando Colla LA PATINOIRE directed by Jean-Philippe Toussaint LA STANZA DELLO SCIROCCO (SIROCCO) directed by Maurizio

Sciarra 1997 THE GREY ZONE Directed by Franco Bernini 1996 THE QUIET ROOM Directed by Rolf de Heer 1995 CORRERE CONTRO (RUNNING AGAINST) Directed by Antonio Tibaldi

EPSILON Directed by Rolf de Heer GUILTRIP Directed by Gerard Stanbridge IL CIELO E’ SEMPRE PIU’ BLU (BITS AND PIECES) directed by

Antonello Grimaldi 1994 COME DUE COCCODRILLI (LIKE TWO CROCODILES) directed by Giacomo

Campiotti THE LIFE AND EXTRAORDINARY ADVENTURES OF PRIVATE IVAN CHONKIN directed by Jiri Menzel 1993 BAD BOY BUBBY directed by Rolf de Heer 1992 LA BIONDA directed by Sergio Rubini

LA CORSA DELL’INNOCENTE (THE FLIGHT OF THE INNOCENT) directed by Carlo Carlei 1990 LA STAZIONE (THE STATION) Directed by Sergio Rubini 1989 NULLA CI PUO’ FERMARE (WE'LL STOP AT NOTHING) directed by Antonello Grimaldi 1987 IL GRANDE BLEK directed by Giuseppe Piccioni

ROBERTO SAVIANO - Author and Screenwriter

Roberto Saviano was born in Naples in 1979. He lived between Naples and Caserta and obtained his degree from the Federico II University of Naples where he was a student of Francesco Barbagallo, professor of the History of Southern Italy. He was a member of a research group on the Camorra

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and crime and he collaborated with “L’Espresso” Magazine and the daily newspaper “La Repubblica.”

Gomorrah, his first book, has sold over 1,200,000 copies in Italy, as well as being translated in 33 countries. Roberto Saviano uses literature and journalistic reporting to narrate reality. He won both the Giancarlo Siani Award and the Viareggio Repaci Award for Literature in 2006.

Roberto Saviano has been living under police protection since October 13th, 2006, following the success of his anti-Cammora non-fiction-novel as well as his statements regarding his collaboration with the law, the information he gave to the Italian Carabinieri and threats he received in court from some Mob bosses during the Spartacus trial.

MAURIZIO BRAUCCI - Screenwriter

Maurizio Braucci was born in Naples in 1966. In 1999 he wrote Il Mare Guasto and in 2004 Una Barca di Uomini Perfetti, both published by Edizioni E/O. He participated in two short story collections: Disertori in 2002 published by Einaudi - Stile Libero and Pensa alla Salute in 2004 published by L’Ancora del Mediterraneo.

He coordinated the collection of investigative stories for Napoli comincia a Scampia (with Giovanni Zoppoli) in 2008 and Spartacus. Processo ai Casalesi (with Marcello Anselmo) both published by L’Ancora del Mediterraneo. He wrote a documentary for the radio in 2001 called Spazi Urbani ed estrema povertà a Napoli. He also wrote two radio scripts, the first in 2002 called Un taglio attraverso and the second one in 2003 called La Sala Giochi (with Goffredo Fofi); both aired on Radio Tre RAI.

In 2006 he collaborated with the playwright Marco Martinelli on Teatro delle Albe, and the following year on Pinocchio. Lo spettacolo della ragione by Armando Punzo. In 2007 he also worked with the Babbaluk Co. for the theatrical show, Italia Mia. He began his collaboration with Davide Iodice and the Libera Mente Co. in 1999 with the staging of Storia Spettacolare.

In 2008 he worked with Abel Ferrara on NAPOLI, NAPOLI, NAPOLI and with the documentary filmmaker Leonardo Di Costanzo in 16 ANNI.

He writes for the monthly magazine “Lo Straniero” and collaborates with the Naples editorial staff of “La Repubblica” newspaper. He is involved in various social programs for teenagers and young adults who live in poor neighborhoods.

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UGO CHITI - Screenwriter

Ugo Chiti is a leading Italian playwright who has written more than 40 dramas. CINEMA: 2007 MANUALE D’AMORE – CAPITOLI SUCCESSIVI directed by Giovanni Veronesi.2006 MANUAL OF LOVE directed by Giovanni Veronesi. Nastro d’argento for best screenplay 2003 THE EMBALMER directed by Matteo Garrone. David di Donatello for best screenplay 2001 CARUSO ZERO FOR CONDUCT directed by Francesco Nuti

TI SPIACE SE BACIO MAMMA directed by Alessandro Benvenuti1999 I LOVE ANDREA directed by Francesco Nuti 1998 THE SECOND WIFE directed by Ugo Chiti1996 RITORNO A CASA GORI directed by Alessandro Benvenuti

THE BARBER OF RIO directed by Giovanni Veronesi ALBERGO ROMA directed by Ugo Chiti 1995 SILENZIO SI NASCE directed by Giovanni Veronesi

IVO THE GENIUS directed by Alessandro Benvenuti1994 OCCHIO PINOCCHIO directed by Francesco Nuti

BELLE AL BAR directed by Alessandro Benvenuti. Nastro d’argento for best story 1993 FOR LOVE ONLY FOR LOVE directed by Giovanni Veronesi. David di Donatello for best screenplay. 1992 CAIN VS CAIN directed by Alessandro Benvenuti1991 THE PARTY’S OVER directed by Alessandro Benvenuti WOMEN IN SKIRTS directed by Francesco Nuti

ZITTI E MOSCA directed by Alessandro Benvenuti1990 WILLY SIGNORI E VENGO DA LONTANO directed by Francesco Nuti1989 BENVENUTI IN CASA GORI directed by Alessandro Benvenuti

GIANNI DI GREGORIO - Screenwriter

Gianni Di Gregorio lives and works in Rome. He studied Modern Literature and then film direction with Alessandro Fersen. Following various theatre and cinema experiences as assistant director, he began concentrating on screenwriting.

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In 1986 he wrote the screenplay for the film SEMBRA MORTO MA É SOLOSVENUTO by Felice Farina and for the film CAREFREE GIOVANNI by Marco Colli. In 1991 he wrote the screenplay for SHIPWRECKS by Marco Colli and the following year he wrote the story and screenplay for the film AFFETTI SPECIALI, directed by Felice Farina. In 2000 he wrote the screenplay for LONG LIVE THE MONKEY!, adapted from the book Le due zitelle by Tommaso Landolfi and directed by Marco Colli.

His collaboration with Matteo Garrone began in 2000 as assistant director on the film ROMAN SUMMER and continued with THE EMBALMER and FIRST LOVE. He recently finished writing, directing and starring in his first film, PRANZO DI FERRAGOSTO.

MASSIMO GAUDIOSO - Screenwriter

Massimo Gaudioso was born in Naples in 1958. After obtaining a degree in business he moved to Milan and then Rome, where he worked for the BBDO International Advertising Agency. He first worked as a copywriter and then as a screenwriter and freelance film director from 1983 to 1995. He has directed numerous documentaries, industrial films, public advertising videos, commercials, trademarks and TV programs for important Italian and multinational companies, museums and public agencies.

FILMOGRAPHY

2008 IL PASSATO È UNA TERRA STRANIERA directed by Daniele Vicari PRANZO DI FERRAGOSTO directed by Gianni di Gregorio2006 ONE OUT OF TWO directed by Eugenio Cappuccio2006 L’ORCHESTRA DI PIAZZA VITTORIO directed by Agostino Ferrente2003 FIRST LOVE directed by Matteo Garrone. Amidei Award 2001 THE EMBALMER directed by Matteo Garrone. David di Donatello and Federico Fellini Award 2000 ROMAN SUMMER directed by Matteo Garrone1999 LA VITA È UNA SOLA directed by Eugenio Cappuccio, Massimo Gaudioso, Fabio Nunziata1998 UN CASO DI FORZA MAGGIORE directed by Matteo Garrone – short film 1996 IL CARICATORE directed by Eugenio Cappuccio, Massimo Gaudioso, Fabio Nunziata – feature film Holden Award for Best Script

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1995 IL CARICATORE directed by Eugenio Cappuccio, Massimo Gaudioso, Fabio Nunziata – short film

MARCO ONORATO - Director of Photography

CINEMA:2007 MARADONA, THE HAND OF GOD directed by Marco Risi2005 SALOMÈ directed by Claudio Sestieri

PIPAREDDUZZO directed by Marco Costa and Tonino Zangardi2004 BALLETTO DI GUERRA directed by Mario Rellini2003 TAKE ME AWAY directed by Tonino Zangardi

FIRST LOVE directed by Matteo Garrone ORA E PER SEMPRE directed by Vincenzo Verdecchi

2002 THE EMBALMER directed by Matteo Garrone THE VOYAGE HOME directed by Claudio Bondì

1999 IL PILOTA AUTOMATICO directed by Giuseppe Picciotto2000 FANTOZZI 2000 directed by Domenico Saverni1999 LA VESPA E LA REGINA directed by Antonello De Leo

SONO POSITIVO directed by Cristiano Bortone1998 GUESTS directed by Matteo Garrone1996 LA COINCIDENZA directed by Marco Colli inserted in the film INTOLERANCE

TERRA DI MEZZO directed by Matteo Garrone1994 IL SOLDATO IGNOTO directed by Marcello Aliprandi1993 UN ALTRO GIORNO ANCORA directed by Tonino Zangardi

MEAN TRICKS directed by Umberto Lenzi1992 TORTA DI MELE directed by Anna Carlucci

CORSIA PREFERENZIALE directed by Luigi Maria GalloVITE PERDUTE directed by Giorgio Castellari

1991 ALULLO DROM directed by Tonino ZangardiCERONTIA ATROPOS directed by Giorgio Tarocco

1990 NESSUNO MI CREDE directed by Anna Carlucci1988 I RAGAZZI DI VIA PANISPERNA directed by Gianni Amelio

THERE WAS A CASTLE WITH FORTY DOGS directed by Duccio Tessari

SHORT FILMS:2004 REFOLO directed by Giovanni Arcangeli.2003 BUON COMPLEANNO directed by Barbara Rossi Prudente2002 IL COLPO directed by Nicola Barnaba.1997 PUNTI DI VISTA directed by Paolo Andreoli1996 SILHOUETTE directed by Matteo Garrone 1995 SENZA PAROLE directed by Antonello De Leo

CATTIVI PENSIERI directed by Antonella Ponziani

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DOCUMENTARIES:1991 FLUSSO DI COSCIENZA (NAZISMO) directed by Giorgio Pressburger 1992 LE STRADE CONSOLARI (GEO) directed by Tonino Zangardi1993 POMPEI directed by Marco Colli

MARCO SPOLETINI - Editor

Marco Spoletini was born in Rome in 1964. He has been a film editor since 1990. He has been collaborating with Matteo Garrone since his first short film. He has edited documentaries with Gianfranco Pannone, Giovanni Piperno, Pippo Delbono, as well as films with Daniele Vicari, Kim Rossi Stuart, Eugenio Cappuccio, Maurizio Sciarra, Aldo Giovanni & Giacomo, Vincenzo Salemme, Vincenzo Terracciano, Riccardo Milani and Gianluca Maria Tavarelli.

He was nominated for a David di Donatello for Best Film Editing in 2003 for THE EMBALMER, directed by Matteo Garrone. In 2007 he was nominated for a Silver Ribbon for Best Film Editing for ALONG THE RIDGE, directed by Kim Rossi Stuart. In 2003 he won both the Silver Ribbon and the Ciak d’Oro in Film Editing both for THE EMBALMER and MAXIMUM VELOCITY (V-MAX).

PAOLO BONFINI - Art Director

Paolo Bonfini began his career as production designer for the film GAME OVER, directed by Alessandro Piva, which was presented at the Umbria Film Festival and at the New European Cinema. In 1997 he was the art director for THE STORY OF A BAD BOY, directed by Tom Donaghy. Bonfini designed the set for the film SECRET FILE, directed by Paolo Benvenuti, and presented at the Venice Film Festival in 2003. In 2000 he began his collaboration with Matteo Garrone on the film ROMAN SUMMER and continued their collaboration on the films THE EMBALMER and FIRST LOVE. He received the Federico Fellini Award and the Ciak d’Oro for Best Production Design for THE EMBALMER.

SANDRA CARDINI - Costume Designer

Sandra Cardini was born in Rome, where she attended art school. She began to work in the film industry at a very young age, first as an actress and then dedicating her career to costume designing. She collaborated with Mauro Bolognini in TV and theater; she was an assistant to Piero Tosi;

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she designed the costumes for Tomas Milian for ten films (now considered cult films) and she worked with Carlo Cecchi.

She has also collaborated with Luciano Salce, Bruno and Sergio Corbucci, Stuart Margolin, Vittorio De Sisti, Danilo Donati and on THE MONSTER, directed by Roberto Benigni. She has also worked in the United States, France and Spain. She is currently working on the film LA LUCE DEL CUORE, directed by Alberto Simone, and in the theater for La Notte Canta, written by Jon Fosse and directed by Valerio Binasco. Her latest costume designs are:

CINEMA:Selective filmography2007 BLACK SUN directed by Krystof Zanussi2006 KEAWE directed by Valerio Binasco2005 TEXAS directed by Fausto Paravidino

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CAST BIOGRAPHIES

TONI SERVILLO - Franco

Film director and actor Toni Servillo was born in 1959 in Afragola, in the province of Naples. He founded the Teatro Studio of Caserta in 1977. He began collaborating with the Falso Movimento Theatrical Co. in 1986, starring in Ritorno ad Alphaville by Mario Martone and staging E… taken from works by Eduardo De Filippo. In 1987 he was among the founders of Teatri Uniti, of which he has been the Artistic Director since 1999.

He participated as an actor and director in the creation of theatrical pieces in the Neapolitan language such as Partitura (1988) and Rasoi (1991) by Enzo Moscato, Ha da passà a nuttata (1989), from a work by Eduardo De Filippo, Zingari (1993) by Raffaele Viviani, and Sabato, domenica e lunedì (2002), the award-winning adaptation of the Eduardo de Filippo masterpiece.

With Il Misantropo (1995) and Tartufo (2000) by Molière, and Le false confidenze (1998/2005) by Marivaux, all in excellent translations by Cesare Garboli, he realized a trilogy of the great French theater of the 1600-1700s.

He also directed L’uomo dal fiore in bocca (1990/96) by Luigi Pirandello, Natura morta (1990) from the acts of the XXIII CPSU Congress, De Pirandello a Eduardo (1997), an adaptation of L’uomo dal fiore in bocca by Pirandello and Sik Sik, l’artefice magico by Eduardo De Filippo with Portuguese actors at the San Joao Theater of Porto, Benjaminowo: padre e figlio (2004) by Franco Marcoaldi and Fabio Vacchi, Il lavoro rende liberi (2005) by Vitaliano Trevisan. His latest theater direction was Trilogia della villeggiatura by Carlo Goldoni (2007) at the Piccolo Teatro of Milan, which will be taken on tour internationally next season.

As an actor, he has been directed by Memè Perlini, Mario Martone, Leo De Berardinis, Elio De Capitani, and has collaborated with Franco Battiato, Mimmo Paladino and Antonio Ballista.

His debut as a director of a musical was in 1999 with La cosa rara, by Martin y Soler and Libretto by Lorenzo Da Ponte staged at the La Fenice Theater of Venice. This was followed by Le nozze di Figaro by Mozart in Venice and Boris Godunov by Mussorgskij and Arianna a Naxos by Richard Strauss at the Sao Carlos of Lisbon, Il marito disperato di Cimarosa and Fidelio by Beethoven, both at the San Carlo Theater of Naples and L’Italiana in Algeri by Rossini at the Aix en Provence Festival. He debuted in cinema with films directed by Mario Martone: DEATH OF A NEAPOLITAN

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POLICEMAN (1992), RASOI (1993), LA SALITA (1997), and REHEARSALS FOR WAR (1998). He starred in Paolo Sorrentino’s films ONE MAN UP (2001), THE CONSEQUENCES OF LOVE (2004), the TV film adapted from Sabato, domenica e lunedì (2004), and the forthcoming IL DIVO. He was directed by Antonio Capuano in RED MOON (2001), by Elisabetta Sgarbi in NOTTE SENZA FINE (2004) and by Andrea Molaioli in THE GIRL BY THE LAKE (2007).

He has received many acting awards in Italy and abroad including the Silver Ribbon, the Grolla d’Oro and the David di Donatello.

GIANFELICE IMPARATO - Don Ciro

CINEMA:2007 MARCELLO, MARCELLO directed by Denis Rabaglia 2004 BASTA UN NIENTE directed by Ivan Polidoro2002 THE RELIGION HOUR (MY MOTHER’S SMILE) directed by Marco Bellocchio2001 LA REPUBBLICA DI SAN GENNARO directed by Massimo Costa

DUE AMICI directed by Spiro Scimone and Francesco Sframeli2000 TUTTI GLI UOMINI SONO UGUALI directed by Nanni Loy

NELLA TERRA DI NESSUNO directed by Gianfranco Giagni1998 NO DEPOSIT NO RETURN directed by Massimo Costa

DIRTY LINEN directed by Mario Monicelli1997 OUT OF HAND directed by Alessandro Haber1995 FACCIAMO PARADISO directed by Mario Monicelli ROMANZO DI UN GIOVANE POVERO directed by Ettore Scola1984 HENRY IV directed by Marco Belloccio1983 BIANCA directed by Nanni Moretti UN RAGAZZO E UNA RAGAZZA directed by Marco Risi1979 GIALLO NAPOLETANO directed by Sergio Corbucci

MARIA NAZIONALE - Maria

Maria Nazionale was born in Torre Annunziata, in the Province of Naples in 1969. She began singing as a child, moved by the passion characteristic of the Neapolitan music scene.

At the age of 13, she began singing in public, performing traditional Neapolitan songs and demonstrating her excellent talent in interpreting them despite her young age. Due to her undeniable talent and the excellent quality of her vocal abilities, she was advised to move to Milan where she obtained her first record contract with EMI and where the young singer recorded her first album “Maria Nazionale.” Following the release of her record, she began to participate in numerous TV shows

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such as “Festivalbar” in the Disco Verde segment; “Premiatissima,” and “Viva Napoli,” during which she demonstrated that she had come of age with a magnificent performance of “Santa Lucia luntana.”

Her songs continued to be successful and in 1992 she participated in “Concerto Italiano.” In December 1994 she recorded “Adda passà ‘a nuttata,” taken from the famous work by Eduardo de Filippo. The CD contains a collection of Neapolitan songs written from the time of the American occupation of Naples to the end of the 1960s. Tullio de Piscopo, Nino D’ Angelo, Mario Merola, Nuccia Fumo and other great artists collaborated on the CD.

She then recorded another CD containing adaptations of songs from the 1600s and some of the most suggestive and romantic Neapolitan songs from the 1900s. In 1996 she recorded the album, ”Napoli ti amo,” which includes such masterpieces as “Palomma ‘e notte,” “Fenesta vascia” and “Era de maggio.”

She released the album “Storie ‘e femmene” in 1997 with songs narrating the story of a real city, as it is today, and as lived daily by many Neapolitans. It was acclaimed both by critics and the public, and consecrated her as one of the most loved Neapolitan singers.

Her album “Sentimenti” was released in 1999 and contained various past hits, and in particular “Cù ttè maje,” which is still at the top of the hit lists today.

A couple years later, she sang a duet with Nino D’Angelo in a song called “O schiavo e ‘o rre” and again was acclaimed by critics and public alike. Her album “Maria Nazionale le classiche,” with musical arrangement by Peppe Vessicchio and Maurizio Pica, was released in 2004.

She has also performed in various theatrical productions such as Palummella zompa e vola written by Antonio Petito, directed by Paolo Spezzaferri; Pensieri di donna written by Bruno Tabacchini, directed by Alfonso Guadagni; Eden teatro written by Raffaele Viviani, directed by Roberto de Simone; Suggestioni sonore directed by Peppe Vessicchio; and ‘Na sceneggiata written by Fumo, directed by Antonio Calenda.

Her latest album, “Puortame a Cammena,” was released in April 2008, and contains songs written by major songwriters such as Enzo Gragnaniello, Pasquale Ziccardi, Federico Salvatore, etc.

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SALVATORE CANTALUPO - Pasquale

Salvatore Cantalupo was born in Naples in 1959. He attended Antonio Neiwiller’s acting school.

CINEMA:2005 GIOSUÈ L’EBREO directed by Pasquale Scimeca2003/’04 ESTASI DI LOREN (short film ) directed by Dante Manchisi2003 ANDARE (short film ) directed by Martino Lo Cascio e Antonio Bellia2002/’03 SUBSTRACTION (short film ) directed by Dante Manchisi2000 ENTUSIASMOS directed by Carla Vittoria Rossi1999 APPASSIONATE directed by Tonino de Bernardi

ROSE E PISTOLE directed by Carla Apuzzo1998 REHEARSALS FOR WAR directed by Mario Martone

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CREW

Directed by…………………………………………………………………………….Matteo GarroneBased on the book by…………………………………………………………….Roberto SavianoWritten by…………………………………………………………………………….Maurizio Braucci

Ugo Chiti Gianni Di Gregorio Matteo Garrone Massimo Gaudioso Roberto Saviano

Director of photography……………………………………………………………Marco OnoratoEditor…………………………………………………………………………………….Marco SpoletiniArt director…………………………………………………………………………Alessandra CardiniSound designer……………………………………………………………………………Leslie Shatz Sound editor……………………………………………………………………….…Daniela CassaniSound mixer…………………………………………………………………….Maricetta LombardoAssistant director…………………………………………………………….Gianluigi Toccafondo Line producer…………………………………………………………………….Gian Luca ChiarettiCreative producer…………………………………………………………………….Laura PaolucciProducer……………………………………………………………………………Domenico ProcacciInternational sales…………………………………………………..Fandango Portobello Sales

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CAST

Toto’s Story Totò………………………………………………………………………………..Salvatore AbruzzeseSimone…………………………………………………………………………….Simone SacchettinoBoxer………………………………………………………………………………….Salvatore RuoccoPitbull……………………………………………………………………………….Vincenzo FabricinoGaetano……………………………………………………………………………..Gaetano Altamura Italo……………………………………………………………………………………………Italo Renda

Don Ciro and Maria’s StoryDon Ciro…………………………………………………………………………..Gianfelice ImparatoMaria…………………………………………………………………………………….Maria NazionaleScissionista………………………………………………………………………….Salvatore StrianoDon Carlo……………………………………………………………………………….Carlo del SorboBombolone………………………………………………………………………...Vincenzo Bombolo

Franco and Roberto’s Story Franco…………………………………………………………………………..…………..Toni ServilloRoberto……………………………………………………………………..……Carmine PaternosterDante Serini……………………………………………………………………….Alfonso SantagataBusinessman ………………………………………………………………..Massimo Emilio GobbiQuarry head…………………………………………………………………………Salvatore Caruso Farmer………………………………………………………………………………………..Italo Celoro

Pasquale’s Story Pasquale………………………………………………………………………….Salvatore Cantalupo

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Iavarone………………………………………………………………………………………Gigio MorraXian………………………………………………………………………………………Zhang RonghuaPasquale’s wife…………………………………………………………………….Manuela Lo Sicco

Marco and Ciro’s Story Marco………………………………………………………………………………………..Marco MacorCiro……………………………………………………………………………………………Ciro PetroneGiovanni……………………………………………………………………………….Giovanni VenosaPirata……………………………………………………………………………………….Vittorio RussoZi Bernardino………………………………………………………………Bernardino Terracciano

SCORE

“Herculaneum” is a song composed by Robert Del Naja and Neil Davidge of the band Massive Attack especially for the credits of the film. This was a chance collaboration aided by the involvement of Max Passante, a DJ and producer from Naples who has lived in England for years, where he actively works with the Bristol-based band. Robert Del Naja enthusiastically and passionately jumped into the project without hesitation, also due to his Neapolitan origins (his father is from Naples). The result is an intense song following the best tradition of Massive Attack, perfectly capturing the disturbing atmosphere of Garrone’s fresco. Garrone did not imagine traditional music for GOMORRAH but instead wanted the various sounds of the film to become the soundtrack.

Sound Design for the film is by Leslie Shatz at Wildfire Post in Los Angeles. Leslie has collaborated with acclaimed directors such as Gus Van Sant, Jane Campion and Todd Haynes and earned an Oscar nomination in 2000 for THE MUMMY. The soundtrack is purely functional and narrates the daily environment of the characters. The top Neapolitan melodic pop artists of the moment were chosen (Alessio, Raffaello, Rosario Miraggio), along with more traditional songs by Nino D’Angelo.

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“Herculaneum”(Robert Del Naja/Neil Davidge/Euan Dickinson)Performed by Robert Del Naja and Neil Davidge

Additional programming by Euan DickinsonMixed by Lee Sheppard at 100 Suns Studios

© 2008 One Point SixCourtesy of One Point Six

SONGS

“Macchina 50” “Must Pray” (S. Viola/F. D’Alessio) (P. Vercampt)

Performed by Rosario Miraggio Performed by Pieter Vercampt

“Esageratamente” “Sadness Part 1” (violent us remix) (F. Franzese) (Curly/Peter/Fairstein)

Performed by Anthony Performed by Enigma

“La Nostra Storia” “I Feel the Love”(Raffaello Armani) (M. Fratty/L. Stay Free/

Performed by Raffaello S. Gambarelli/ F. Panzanini) Performed by Lovematic

“O’ Schiavo E O’ Re” “Play My Music” (N. D’Angelo/C. Tortora) (A. Benassi/S. Carlson/I. Favretto) Performed by Nino D’Angelo Performed by Sandy Chambers

“Ma Si Vene Stasera” “Un Giorno D’Amore” (G. Carluccio) (D. Stefani/G. Bousier) Performed by Alessio Performed by Daniele Stefani

“Xiao Cheng Gu Shi” “L’Amica dia Moglie” (T. Tong, Z. Nu) (E. Rossi/ T. Riccio) Performed by Teresa Teng Performed by Tommy Riccio

“Brava Gente”(N. D’Angelo/C. Tortora)

Performed by Nino D’Angelo

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