PIANESE NUNZIO - 14 IN MAY

Italy, 1996, 115 minutes, Colour.
Fabrizio Bentivoglio, Emmanuelle, Garguilo.
Directed by Antonio Capuano.

This is a controversial film. For an Italian audience, it is a grim look at the reality of the city of Naples, especially the poorer areas. It is realistic in its presentation of street life, criminals, prostitutes, the influence of the Camorra. It focuses on a young boy (played by Emannuele Gargiulo, an amateur actor, an apprentice goldsmith. The film also focuses on the role of the church with Fabio Bentivoglio as a crusading priest against social injustice. (Bentivoglio was later to play a priest in the Australian film, The Missing.)

Where the film is controversial is in its treatment of the priest. On the one hand, he is a champion of the church's teaching about social justice. On the other hand, he lives a lonely life, lacking emotional fulfilment. When he befriends the young boy, the sexuality and emotional drive force him to behave in compromising ways. One of the puzzling aspects of the film for non-Italian audiences is its treatment of the relationship between the priest and the boy, especially the sexual overtones. The film emerged in the mid-90s at a time when the church, especially in English-speaking countries, was rife with scandals. The relationship does not seem to be of concern to the Italian film-makers. Rather, they see it as the trigger for the Camorra to get their revenge on the priest rather than murdering him and the other melodramatic ways they had of getting their own way.

The film is very well made, gives an insight into the city of Naples - but raises issues about the priesthood, sexual relationships as well as the social injustices of a city dominated by Mafia groups.

1.A film of Italy and Naples in the '90s? Social background, moral, religious and church?

2.The impact of the credits and the vistas of Naples, the streets and the houses, the church, the slum neighbourhoods, atmosphere of authenticity?

3.The style of the film - drama, docu-drama - and the testimonies of the witnesses and their perceptions of the truth?
4.The fragments in the screenplay - the lives of the various characters, their explanations (or not)? The cumulative effect and the interpretation of Father Borelli and Nunzio?

5.The musical score, the Neapolitan songs - as sung by Nunzio and others? Their giving the Neapolitan atmosphere to the film?

6.The Mafia in Naples? The Camorra and its hold? The criminal families and their authority, the violence, the casual murders in the street? Information about the Mafia, the various underlings, the dons? Father Borelli and his denunciations? His refusal of the High Mass for the don? Refusal of Communion at the little girl's funeral to make his point? The church and the Mafia? The sermons, the interviews for the papers? The film as anti-Mafia?

7.The role of the church: the parish and the monks leaving, Father Borelli coming from a neighbouring parish? His life in the parish, popular? The example of his catechetics class with the youth and the parable of the sower? His other studies? The masses, the sermons, the interviews with the papers? The interdict and the reaction of the Neapolitan curia? The role of the church and the media in the fight against the Mafia? The people liking him and thinking this is what the church ought to do?

8.The opening with Father Borelli desperate, the nature of his prayer, being mugged and robbed? His meeting Giovanni and his friend outside the church? Dressed in clericals or dressed in jeans? The young men and the parable of the sower? Masses, the range of his ministry? His being perceived as a zealous priest?

9.Nunzio and his age and background, hearing him sing, his role on television? The background of his family, his father and the selling of the eggs in the street, the wig, madness, Giovanni, breaking the television? The Mafia contacts? Giovanni and the drugs? Nunzio and his mother's visit, her separation, her husband's madness, living with another man? His aunt and her having him at home, life in the family, Katia and friendship, sexual encounters? His friendship with Ada (the photos, their love - and the suddenness of her death by accident in the railway station)? The impact of her death, the funeral? His studies, thinking about being a priest (and the security of the life)? Father Borelli as his model? The singing on TV? Playing the organ? Father Borelli giving him the key, his meals in the presbytery, the scene of the chase around the table and Father Borelli holding him? His acceptance of Father Borelli, of the seduction? The impact of the sexual experience? A street boy, his "knowing innocence"?

10.Father Borelli and his sexuality? His background of being an orphan, isolated, living alone, not relating to the clergy? His emotional affection for a youngster? Playing the music in his room, the sexual encounters, the shower, the intimacy and affection? His sanctifying his eroticism? His prayer, the desperation of the beginning, the crucifix and his prayer to God, to Jesus as a man, homo erotic? A portrait of a paedophile, emotional immaturity, lack of affection? The housekeeper and her advances, his not responding? His knowing that he had committed a crime? But his rationalisations? The people knowing but not denouncing him? The build-up to the Stations of the Cross and his swearing to tell the truth about himself?

11.The drama of the Stations of the Cross, the rain, the people in the streets of Naples, as a demonstration against the Camorra? The contemporary prayers? Their social content? The parallel with Jesus? The various Stations, was Father Borelli meant to be paralleled with Jesus? Who was crucifying him? Was Pianese meant to be Jesus? Who was crucifying him?

12.Nunzio and his friends, his relationship with his brother, father? Living in his aunt's house, his relationship with his cousin? School friends? The social workers and their discussions, coming to the school? His relationship with the priest being common knowledge? The interviews in the headmaster's room? His changing his attitude after not wanting to report Father Borelli? His visiting him, the tension, the clash? Looking through his books, the locked room, the homo erotic photo? His being hurt? Sick? In the court, going to the toilet, the dove and his interpreting it as the Holy Spirit - and his decision to tell the truth about his experiences?

13.The theme of paedophilia and its importance, Naples' children and their innocence? The knowledge of the streets?

14.The background of the violence of Naples, the murders in the railway station, Ada and her death, the funeral - and Father Borelli's refusal to give Communion to make a stand against violence?

15.The role of the church in Naples, denouncing the Camorra? The laws of the church regarding sexuality and celibacy? A film of controversy about church and state in Italy?