A mix of musical and real-life storytelling, one of the most lucid and original films about the city of Naples
The stories of the inmates of a juvenile prison inspire a work that speaks to the head and strikes the heart
Although born in Cagliari, over his career Nanni Loy was capable of recounting the beauty and pain of Naples with rare lucidity and passion. In Scugnizzi, his penultimate film, he once again demonstrates this through a very original approach: by rooting the story in an authentic urban fabric, he allows the film to hover on the wings of representation infused with art. To find the young protagonists of his film, the “scugnizzi” (streetwise kids) of the title, the director searched the alleyways of the city, choosing the faces and personalities that most impressed him. To elaborate the narrative ideas, he went to speak with the inmates of Nisida Juvenile Prison. Their stories became musical numbers thanks to the creative genius of composer Mario Mattone. The result is an extraordinarily free film, which takes a multi-layered look at the city’s swarming ferment, in a ballet of contrasting emotions. Scugnizzi is a unique film, which speaks to the head and strikes the heart.
To settle his debts, a down on his luck actor accepts an offer to direct a musical show featuring the inmates of a juvenile prison. In getting to know them, he is inspired to base the show on their stories. They will go on stage at the San Carlo Theatre in Naples.
A mix of musical and real-life storytelling, one of the most lucid and original films about the city of Naples
The stories of the inmates of a juvenile prison inspire a work that speaks to the head and strikes the heart
Although born in Cagliari, over his career Nanni Loy was capable of recounting the beauty and pain of Naples with rare lucidity and passion. In Scugnizzi, his penultimate film, he once again demonstrates this through a very original approach: by rooting the story in an authentic urban fabric, he allows the film to hover on the wings of representation infused with art. To find the young protagonists of his film, the “scugnizzi” (streetwise kids) of the title, the director searched the alleyways of the city, choosing the faces and personalities that most impressed him. To elaborate the narrative ideas, he went to speak with the inmates of Nisida Juvenile Prison. Their stories became musical numbers thanks to the creative genius of composer Mario Mattone. The result is an extraordinarily free film, which takes a multi-layered look at the city’s swarming ferment, in a ballet of contrasting emotions. Scugnizzi is a unique film, which speaks to the head and strikes the heart.
To settle his debts, a down on his luck actor accepts an offer to direct a musical show featuring the inmates of a juvenile prison. In getting to know them, he is inspired to base the show on their stories. They will go on stage at the San Carlo Theatre in Naples.
