Ciao! I'm Laura.
  • Journal
  • About
  • Writing
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Journal
  • Books
  • Podcast
  • About
    • Writing
  • Contact

Ciao Amalfi

BOOKS, Movies · January 15, 2009

Gomorrah

Photo source: www.robertosaviano.it

(ANSA) – Rome, January 14 – The Italian film world was dismayed by the failure of critically acclaimed Mafia drama Gomorrah to make the cut for the best foreign film Oscar.

Click on the link above to read the entire article from ANSA.it. Since I haven’t seen the film version of Roberto Saviano’s book, I can’t rightly speak about it being excluding from the Oscar race for best foreign film. I have read the book, however, and I have to admit I am disappointed it wasn’t selected. Like I said, I can’t speak about the quality of the film or its worthiness to be an Oscar contender, I can say I was hoping it would be selected in order to bring more attention to the subject of the film: the Naples Camorra. When I read the book last autumn, it was certainly a disturbing read. It was fascinating and at most times so horrendous as to render it just unbelievable. I found myself finishing a section and thinking, “Did I really just read that? Surely I made some mistake.” And so I would go back and reread. No, I did just read that. The author, a native of one of the toughest areas outside of Naples, worked his way in and out of various places within “the system” (as the Camorra is called) out of a desire to understand what was going on in world around him. What was behind the hideous mechanisms of life and death that he witnessed every day. With eyes open, he absorbed and looked until he finally understood and couldn’t stand it anymore. So he wrote. As he explains, his words are his weapon. As a result, he has proven that sometimes it is really is what you know that can hurt you. He is under government protection now, and will always live a life of fear. Within the System a betrayal is never forgotten. Not long after finishing the book, I was watching a news program in the evening and a journalist and friend of Saviano was being interviewed. He said the last time he saw Saviano was in a private room in a restaurant in Rome with twelve body guards. Twelve.

I mention the book here because it is a moving and relevant read for anyone interested in crime history, the mafia, or the current economic state of Italy and what goes on behind the scenes. For me, I have considered it in part research for working in the tourism industry here, as I continue to absorb the way of life and history of this part of the world. Many tourists ask questions about the mafia in Italy and in Naples and want to know what it is really like. But what started as a simple research interest has really become an eyeopening experience for me. I consider differently the things I see for sale in the market here and what I buy in the store. I think about the things that are left out and the things that aren’t said on the evening news. And, above all, I continue to be amazed that just on the other side of the mountains, on the other side of this paradise, there could be such hell.

UPDATE: This article explains exactly why Saviano’s book deserves the utmost attention.

Posted In: BOOKS, Movies

You’ll Also Love

Linda SarrisMoon Southern Italy: An Interview with Linda Sarris
Dancing in the Clouds
“Creepy Italian Trees”

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Next Post >

Buone Feste!

Trending Now

  • ciao-amalfi-winter-things-to-do Visiting the Amalfi Coast in the Winter – 5 Things You Need to Know
  • Amalfi Coast Beaches Colourful Sun Umbrellas at the Marina Grande Beach in Amalfi - Horizontal A Guide to the Beaches of Amalfi
  • Amalfi Coast Webcams New Live Streaming Webcams of Amalfi!
  • Amalfi Coast Travel Positano Beach Spiagga Grande A Guide to the Beaches of Positano

Ciao!

My name is Laura and the Amalfi Coast is my passion and my home. I’m a writer and photographer who is endlessly inspired by the incredible beauty of the Amalfi Coast. Welcome to Ciao Amalfi!

Ciao Amalfi

  • Journal
  • Moon Amalfi Coast
  • Newsletter
  • Contact

Amalfi Coast

  • Amalfi
  • Positano
  • Ravello
  • Amalfi Coast

Explore

  • Travel
  • History & Culture
  • Food & Drink
  • Shopping

Laura Thayer

  • About
  • Writing
  • Book Reviews
  • Work with Me

Latest on Instagram

The blue hour in Amalfi this evening. 💙 The blue hour in Amalfi this evening. 💙
Today is an unspeakably sad day for the Amalfi Coa Today is an unspeakably sad day for the Amalfi Coast after the tragic bus accident this morning in Ravello where Nicola Fusco, a young bus driver only 29 years old, lost his life. Investigations are currently underway to determine the cause and I won’t share the upsetting details. The road to Ravello is currently closed and it’s not clear when it will reopen. Nicola was a kind, talented, and experienced driver—the third generation of drivers in his family—a family very close to ours. My husband has been a guide with all three generations and watched Nicola grow up. This is something that shouldn’t happen, shouldn’t ever happen, but it’s something we all fear here. Our hearts are with the Fusco family and to everyone who Nicola’s life touched. 🖤
It sounds like New Year’s Eve outside with firew It sounds like New Year’s Eve outside with fireworks and celebrations for the Naples soccer team wining the championship for the first time in 33 years. To say this is a big deal for the fans doesn’t even begin to describe it. I’ve been watching videos from Amalfi, Sorrento, Ischia and all around Campania. Here was a quiet moment in Atrani before the celebrations began. ⚽️
Requisite Vespa shot with a twist. Let the 6-month Requisite Vespa shot with a twist. Let the 6-month check-ups begin! 🏥

#breastcancersurvivor #breastcancer #tumorealseno
Finally a break in the rain today in Amalfi! Time Finally a break in the rain today in Amalfi! Time to stop and admire the rain puddles.
From my tiny home in the middle of Amalfi, you can From my tiny home in the middle of Amalfi, you can’t see the sea. Growing up in the Midwest and Florida and then spending 12 years with a sweeping view of the sea here from Scala, I’ve long been accustomed to watching the weather. A storm coming feels like danger while a storm passing by out at sea is exhilarating - close enough to capture the energy but not to cause harm. 

Since we moved down the mountain to Amalfi, the main thing I’ve missed is being able to watch the weather. When the weather turns stormy it’s a gamble on whether a break in the rain will last a few moments or long enough to take my favorite walk along the port, out and back each of the piers. While I don’t mind a walk in the rain, if the wind is blowing too strong for an umbrella, timing the break in the rain becomes more essential. 

This morning I woke early to rain pouring down, but before long there was a break. Would it be long enough? I checked the weather app on my phone to see the temperature and forecast. But, like water to a cormorant, I’ve always been a little bit impervious to numbers. Given the chance, my favorite forecast is by stepping outside. I opened the door and stuck my head out. Far above the seagulls were swirling around, their calls a reminder of just how close the sea is even when I can’t see it. As they taunted and laughed at the weather high above, it seemed like a break I could trust.

I slipped on my shoes and jacket and headed out for a pre-breakfast walk. I didn’t make it all the way to the end of the port before sprinkles arrived, but ducking through the arched passageways and side streets I made it home just before the gulls were hushed and the rain came down again.
This morning while watching the swallows swoop and This morning while watching the swallows swoop and swirl over the sea, I looked up and caught this moment of dark and light. It made me laugh since I had just been thinking about how each day we have a choice how we go into the day. Which side are you on?
  • Privacy Policy
  • Site Disclosure

Copyright © 2023 Ciao Amalfi · Theme by 17th Avenue