L’uomo di vetro: The story of the Mafia’s first “pentito”
In competition at the Taormina Film Festival on July 16, to coincide with its domestic release, L’uomo di vetro [+see also:
trailer
film profile] (based on the eponymous book by Salvatore Parlagreco), is inspired by the life of the Mafia’s first “pentito” [someone who turns State’s evidence against organized crime], Leonardo Vitale, who decided to break out from the omertà barrier protecting the Mafia system, paying for his decision with prison, a criminal mental institution and, ultimately, his life.
In 1984, just a few months after his release, Vitale was killed by a hit man. The film primarily focuses on 1972-1974: years of interrogations, illustrious arrests, transversal vendettas, depression, obsessions, remorse, retractions repudiated by new confessions and electric shock therapy.
Produced by RAI Cinema and Mario Rossini for Red Film on a €2m budget, with backing from the Ministry of Culture, and distributed by 01 on 30 screens, L’uomo di vetro was directed by Stefano Incerti (The Gas Inspector, 1995; The Vesuvians, 1997; and La Vita Come Viene, 2003).
Shooting, which began in July of 2006 and ended six weeks later, took place entirely in Catania. The screenplay was co-written by Salvatore Parlagreco, Heidrun Schleef and Incerti. David Coco stars as Vitale, alongside Anna Bonaiuto as his mother and Tony Sperandeo as Zio Titta, who used all means possible to turn Vitale into a “man of honour”.
On June 18, the Chamber of Deputies will hold a special screening of the film, followed by a discussion with the book’s author and, among others, National Anti-Mafia Prosecutor Pietro Grasso.
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