Press Conference: “Gomorrah”

The whole crew of the film Gomorrah gathered in the conference room to field questions from the international press. Present with director Matteo Garrone and investigative journalist Roberto Saviano were actors Maria Nazionale, Toni Servillo, Salvatore Cantalupo, and Gianfelice Imparato, screenwriter Maurizio Braucci, and producer Domenico Procacci. Highlights follow:

Matteo Garrone, on decisions about the film’s form:
“To produce the kind of emotional impact that I experienced when I went there, I thought this was the right choice in terms of filming. I wanted the filming to be almost invisible. And the film also lends itself to this kind of language. Any comments or unnecessary camera work or framing didn’t fit in with the film… War reports also influenced me and encouraged me to choose this kind of language, because you need to give the audience the feeling that they’re actually there… So that people almost sensed the smells in those places.”

Roberto Saviano, on seeing organized crime as a corporation:
“The day the Twin Towers collapsed, two Neapolitans call each other up and say, ‘Oh, did you see? There’s some land available in lower Manhattan.’ What the rest of the world experienced as a tragedy, they saw as an investment opportunity. That gives you an idea of how dynamic this organization is.”

Matteo Garrone, on the risks involved in shooting:
“The population was very available. They participated whole-heartedly, and they were the first spectators of the film. When we shot these scenes, they were always looking on, providing advice, and participating actively. Often, it’s the cinema that helps to shape these people’s taste, and not the opposite… Even if the film denounces a given “reality,” it moves in a different direction. It’s not designed to be a kind of an inquiry… I don’t feel I’m in any danger… I think the film and the book are very complementary.”

Gianfelice Imparato, on his part:
“I was very fortunate, because my character represented the fear of most people who find themselves in such a situation… Just to react to what Matteo said, I agree. My character had to be invisible. No one was supposed to see him. In fact, he was called the Submarine… I was able to apply the rule I use in theater, the rule of subtraction… I really had to feel this fear.”