Article text:
In March, a banner was displayed in a narrow alley of Naples, which is filled with shops selling handcrafted Nativity figurines. The message was clear: "Naples doesn't support you anymore." This was directed at the highly popular Italian crime drama "Gomorrah," which had just embarked on filming a prequel titled "Gomorrah: Origins" in the city's historic Spanish Quarter, exploring the origins of the notorious Camorra crime syndicate from the 1970s.
"Gomorrah" is perhaps the most famous cultural reference tied to Naples, following the release of Roberto Saviano's 2006 book that exposed the Neapolitan mafia, alongside the acclaimed 2008 film and a TV series that debuted in 2014, running for five seasons. The franchise has been expanded with two additional movies in 2019 and now, the prequel.
Yet, for some residents, the fatigue is palpable. “They filmed the first one, they filmed the second one,” lamented Gennaro Di Virgilio, owner of a family-run Nativity shop in Naples. “Basta,” he said, indicating he has reached his limit.
Despite a significant boost in tourism over recent years—thanks to social media showcasing Naples' rich history, delicious cuisine, and sunny weather—the city's image often defaults to that of the gritty, crime-ridden backdrop from the series. This leads many locals to feel that their identity is oversimplified, reductively defined by the "malavita," or underworld lifestyle.
While Naples has made strides to break free from its notorious past, ongoing issues like youth unemployment and crime remain. Residents urge for a more balanced narrative that highlights the positive aspects of the city, rather than focusing solely on the more sordid tales showcased in the "Gomorrah" franchise.
In March, a banner was displayed in a narrow alley of Naples, which is filled with shops selling handcrafted Nativity figurines. The message was clear: "Naples doesn't support you anymore." This was directed at the highly popular Italian crime drama "Gomorrah," which had just embarked on filming a prequel titled "Gomorrah: Origins" in the city's historic Spanish Quarter, exploring the origins of the notorious Camorra crime syndicate from the 1970s.
"Gomorrah" is perhaps the most famous cultural reference tied to Naples, following the release of Roberto Saviano's 2006 book that exposed the Neapolitan mafia, alongside the acclaimed 2008 film and a TV series that debuted in 2014, running for five seasons. The franchise has been expanded with two additional movies in 2019 and now, the prequel.
Yet, for some residents, the fatigue is palpable. “They filmed the first one, they filmed the second one,” lamented Gennaro Di Virgilio, owner of a family-run Nativity shop in Naples. “Basta,” he said, indicating he has reached his limit.
Despite a significant boost in tourism over recent years—thanks to social media showcasing Naples' rich history, delicious cuisine, and sunny weather—the city's image often defaults to that of the gritty, crime-ridden backdrop from the series. This leads many locals to feel that their identity is oversimplified, reductively defined by the "malavita," or underworld lifestyle.
While Naples has made strides to break free from its notorious past, ongoing issues like youth unemployment and crime remain. Residents urge for a more balanced narrative that highlights the positive aspects of the city, rather than focusing solely on the more sordid tales showcased in the "Gomorrah" franchise.
