Gomorra (Italy)

[pro-bassoonist]

Italian distribs 01 Distribution are set to release Matteo Garrone's Gomorra (2008) on December 3rd in Italy. Pic was nominated for Palme d'Or and won the Grand Prize at this year's Cannes Film Festival.

See the trailer through the French licensee's site:
http://www.gomorra-lefilm.com/

Sky.com:

Based on Roberto Saviano's Italian non-fiction bestseller about the Neapolitan mob - the Camorra – director Matteo Garrone’s bleak, powerful crime movie travels from the horrifying slum projects of suburban Naples to corporate suites and the world of high-fashion ...finding them all poisoned by organized crime. Mob threats following the release of Saviano’s book have forced him to go into hiding under police guard.

Gomorrah closes with hard-hitting facts about the Camorra better placed at the beginning to throw perspective on the free-forming story of easy-come-easier-go life and death for citizens caught in Camorra catchment areas.

Clans forming the Camorra have carved up Naples and Caserta, killing 4,000 people in thirty years, more than any other criminal or terrorist group. Outside of arms and drug trafficking, they've become established in construction, textiles, and other legitimate ventures, and monopolise toxic waste dumping, cutting corners that have led to a 20% cancer jump in regions affected.

Needless to say, there is no honour among these thieves.

Garrone and five co-writers, including Saviano, split the story into five concurrent plots, dropping the audience into the middle of a mob hit in a tanning salon, leaving them to sink or swim.

A guide of sorts comes in the careworn, nervous shape of Don Ciro (Imparato), a bagman paying the families of imprisoned clan members, unable to handle the threat of death as the violence escalates.

The similarly middle-aged Pasquale, a tailor working for a clan subcontractor, discovers offering expert advice to a Chinese rival could be a fatal move, while university graduate Roberto (Paternoster) is offered a promising internship at mob boss Franco’s (Servillo) waste management business, and Toto (Abruzzese) is the next generation, thirteen years old and finding himself in too deep.

Skirting the perimeter, jacking the clans’ arms stashes and ripping off drug suppliers, are Marco and Ciro (Macor and Pettrone), born to lose punks with a Scarface obsession.

Basing the action around a massive, crumbling apartment block that houses the soldiers and servants (i.e. the poor, junkies, gamblers) who serve the Camorra bosses, Matteo’s detached, observational style and analytical pacing will jar with those expecting the adrenalin rush of City of God, but his unfussy documentary approach provides an authentic feeling expose of life where law and order run scared.

Sprawling and angry, Gomorrah’s small episodes form an ultimately overwhelming portrait of the clans’ invisible empire – from Toto’s initiation, taking a bullet while wearing a makeshift vest, and his coerced betrayal of a loved one, to Franco bullying a dying man into giving up more land for waste disposal, or Don Ciro begging an old friend, now enemy, for shelter.

Meanwhile, Pasquale sees Scarlett Johansson wearing one of his frocks at the Venice film festival, revealing how high up the food chain Camorra influence runs.

The violence is brief but shattering and two slayings, with Don Ciro and Toto caught in the middle, are amongst the most terrifying depictions of mob violence caught on camera.

Blame TV’s magisterial The Wire if Gomorrah seems superficial. But whereas TV has multiple episodes to penetrate the heart of its story, Matteo and co are to be commended for this all-encompassing overview of organised crime.

Screen Comment:

(BY ALI NADERZAD) A man steps inside a tanning bed and slips his hands into straps, facing us. He stands, naked, as the silver-blue lights behind him flicker and the machine whirs to life. Moments later, someone steps inside the booth and shoot him in the head. The opening scene of Gomorra, by italian director Matteo Garrone, is a memorable one. Clocking in at well over two hours, Gomorra casts a compelling glance about gangsters and their families living and plying their trade in an apartment building in Casal di Principe, a suburb of Naples which also happens to be the heart of the Italian camorra. The film was adapted from a book by Roberto Saviano which was a best-seller in Italy. Garrone follows the lives of five Neapolitans, from the kid who dreams of becoming an adult fast to the accountant for one of the families whose only desire is to stay alive and the two teenagers who believe they’re in the movie Scarface. You're never bored with Gomorra, even though Garrone doesn't quite let you get attached to any of the characters and it's probably justified. They're all going to die, eventually, so why get attached? Am I being too dramatic? As any neighborhood under siege, there are those who choose to stay out of criminal activities and those who partake freely in them. Turf wars, alliances and betrayals help punctuate Garrone's documentation of daily life amidst this ruined city block. But this is not a documentary, do not be fooled. It's a grand feature film in which man's dalliance with crime propel us towards a dramatic finish. And although the end of Gomorrha can be forecast easily, this highly watchable film is anything but predictable. It's also a character study asking us to look forgivingly, perhaps, at other men's unfortunate lot. The impossible turf wars which take place are entertaining although the adversaries here are unequal. In one scene so often replayed in movies of this genre, a long-time turf don dada hears news from his lieutenant about a couple of kids who stole from an arms cache. A meeting is convened and the boys' fate is decided with little opposition. Just like that. With this new film Matteo Garrone isn't reinventing the wheel but his Gomorrha shimmers with brio.

Ciao,
Pro-B

[HDJK]

I heard a radio talk about the book a while ago. It was very interesting and I will definitely be getting this movie. Thanks for the heads-up.

[crey014]

Garners more respect than a spot on favorites list, "Gomorra" chronicles five seemingly disconnected stories with one thing in common: all are heavily influenced by a criminal organisation run by the Camorras, an ominous mafia organisation with a tight grip on Naples, Italy. Stylishly delivered, with extra kudos on editing and cinematography, Film will no doubt attract fans of the violent underworld, but might be disappointed by its verite approach, even if it perfectly captures reality, as such. Absolute antithesis to depiction from the American mafia, film is gritty and has zero entertainment value but in retrospect, picture was produced with such depressing intentions.

[pro-bassoonist]

UK release date is February 2.

Pro-B

[pro-bassoonist]

UK cover:



Pro-B

[kpkelley]

Doc, does Gomorra (italy) have a lossless audio track?

Also, you said in the UK thread that you didn't think it would be region-free(the Uk Version). After reviewing can you confirm the region-coding of that disc?

TIA

[Crim122]

I hope its region free, will pre order asap if it is

[graf1k]

I have an Amazon UK order on hold waiting to see if this and/or JCVD is going to be region free. I was disappointed to find out Elite Squad is locked.

[TeresofBlood]

Anyone know when this film will be released in Region A? If it a couple months I can wait, but otherwise I may spring for this one (assuming it is region free of course).

[pro-bassoonist]

Originally Posted by kpkelley

Doc, does Gomorra (italy) have a lossless audio track?

Also, you said in the UK thread that you didn't think it would be region-free(the Uk Version). After reviewing can you confirm the region-coding of that disc?

TIA

Hello,

1. The Italian Blu-ray disc of Gomorra is, unlike the UK disc, Region-Free. It also boasts the same Italian: DTS-HD MA 5.1 track It is English-friendly as well. It could be obtained here:
http://www.ibs.it/dvd/8032807025681/...e/gomorra.html

(don't pay attention to the tech specs, the disc is English-friendly).

2.As I said earlier, and as I have indicated in the review, the UK disc is Region-B locked.

Originally Posted by graf1k

I have an Amazon UK order on hold waiting to see if this and/or JCVD is going to be region free. I was disappointed to find out Elite Squad is locked.

JCVD will be region-free.

Originally Posted by TeresofBlood

Anyone know when this film will be released in Region A? If it a couple months I can wait, but otherwise I may spring for this one (assuming it is region free of course).

There are no plans for a US Blu-ray release at the moment.

Pro-B

[graf1k]

Yeah, was just reading the review and was crushed to see it was region locked, but the Italian edition being region free makes up for it. Pro-B, any word on if the video on the Italian edition looks as strong as the UK edition? Also, thanks for the heads up on JCVD.

[pro-bassoonist]

Originally Posted by graf1k

Yeah, was just reading the review and was crushed to see it was region locked, but the Italian edition being region free makes up for it. Pro-B, any word on if the video on the Italian edition looks as strong as the UK edition?

They are practically identical. This being said, if you could play Region-B discs I strongly recommend that you opt for the UK release. The extras, and especially the interview with Mr. Saviano, are fantastic.

Pro-B

[graf1k]

Unfortunately I do not. I've been trying to research a region free blu-ray player or at least one that can be firmware hacked to play all regions but the only on I've come across so far is the combo player and it's effing expensive.

Oh while I have your attention and I see you have or are about to review Taken, is it region locked? I've heard it's a fantastic revenge flick.

[borninusa]

Is Taken even out yet in the theaters? I thought it wasnt yet.

[AnimeOnBlu]

Originally Posted by borninusa

Is Taken even out yet in the theaters? I thought it wasnt yet.

It was in theaters already in France and UK. French Blu-ray is out and the UK one comes out in less than 2 weeks.

Also, good to see Optimum using BD50s. Might have to add this one to my collection.

[pro-bassoonist]

Originally Posted by graf1k

Oh while I have your attention and I see you have or are about to review Taken, is it region locked? I've heard it's a fantastic revenge flick.

Our agent in London sent the disc yesterday so as soon as it arrives I will let you know. The review should be up before the street date.

Pro-B

[greatdevastator]

I heard Gomorra was getting a US release in February along with the UK version.

[sinofsins]

Anyone know of any English friendly website where I can order the region free version of Gomorra? Also roughly how are the shipment fees for importing this one?

[graf1k]

Anybody able to get an order through on that site Pro-B posted? I get to the page where you fill in your address and then proceed to the next page where I guess you either confirm your address or maybe put in a shipping address and it seems to be telling me to put in a valid State but there is no field for State on that page.

[TedK]

Originally Posted by graf1k

Anybody able to get an order through on that site Pro-B posted? I get to the page where you fill in your address and then proceed to the next page where I guess you either confirm your address or maybe put in a shipping address and it seems to be telling me to put in a valid State but there is no field for State on that page.

I've made many orders through ibs and their service is excellent, although you do need an understanding of Italian to get through the checkout (which I have). Give me a few and I'll try a dry run and let you know what to do. I was going to order Gomorra but I'll be in Italy in April, so I'll buy it then and save shipping.