Father Lorenzo Borrelli's church is located in the Sanita quarter of Naples, one of the worst neighborhood in the city. Father Borrelli has seen enough death among the young people that are recruited by the Camorra, the local mafia, that is behind most of the crimes committed in Naples. This righteous man's voice speaks against all the injustices he sees stemming from the evil doings of the Camorra, yet Father Lorenzo is a man that hides a dark secret in his heart: he is gay and a pedophile.
Into this milieu arrives Nunzio Pianese, a young boy in Father Lorenzo's confirmation class. Nunzio, himself, is a young man that is different from the other hoodlums running around in this dangerous part of Naples. Nunzio, who has a beautiful voice, is seen as he sings for one of the local stations; he loves interpreting those romantic ballads that are so Neapolitan.
Perhaps it's inevitable that Lorenzo and Nunzio will become lovers. After all, Lorenzo has had another long term affair with the handsome Gigi, who is older now. Gigi must see in Nunzio what he went through during the times he had sex with the priest. At the same time, Father Lorenzo is never seen threatening Nunzio, as it appears their relationship is mutual.
The Camorra wants to get to Father Lorenzo in any way it can. They choose to work through Nunzio because the young man is vulnerable where the priest is resolute. The priest has two strikes against him, he is opposing the local mafia, plus his homosexuality, if known, will certainly destroy his reputation, and it will mean the bad guys have won the struggle while they sideline their opponent.
Antonio Capuano directed and wrote the screen play of this film. He uses a ploy to have the different characters in the movie introduce themselves giving us, the viewers, a bit of information as to where, and when they were born. This aspect doesn't do much to advance the story, something we found a bit distracting.
The acting in general, by non professional actors, fits the movie well. Mr. Capuando sets the action for his film in the streets of the Sanita district. Fabrizio Bentivoglio, is basically the only known face in the large cast. Mr. Bentivoglio shows a great range, as he becomes furious against the Camorra, to a tender side one sees when he is in the company of Nunzio, who he evidently adores passionately. His scenes with Nunzio show a restraint that speaks volumes about the director of the film, Antonio Capuano, who decided not to go for cheap shots. Emanuele Gargiulo is seen as the sweet Nunzio.
Antonio Capuano directed the film with an eye for detail, something that his cinematographer, Antonio Baldoni, captured Naples seamy side in all its splendor. Mr. Capuano makes us think about the role of this priest and his church in our society and how a gay man has to live in order to conform to its unspoken rules that discriminate men like Lorenzo to hide behind his role as a priest.
Into this milieu arrives Nunzio Pianese, a young boy in Father Lorenzo's confirmation class. Nunzio, himself, is a young man that is different from the other hoodlums running around in this dangerous part of Naples. Nunzio, who has a beautiful voice, is seen as he sings for one of the local stations; he loves interpreting those romantic ballads that are so Neapolitan.
Perhaps it's inevitable that Lorenzo and Nunzio will become lovers. After all, Lorenzo has had another long term affair with the handsome Gigi, who is older now. Gigi must see in Nunzio what he went through during the times he had sex with the priest. At the same time, Father Lorenzo is never seen threatening Nunzio, as it appears their relationship is mutual.
The Camorra wants to get to Father Lorenzo in any way it can. They choose to work through Nunzio because the young man is vulnerable where the priest is resolute. The priest has two strikes against him, he is opposing the local mafia, plus his homosexuality, if known, will certainly destroy his reputation, and it will mean the bad guys have won the struggle while they sideline their opponent.
Antonio Capuano directed and wrote the screen play of this film. He uses a ploy to have the different characters in the movie introduce themselves giving us, the viewers, a bit of information as to where, and when they were born. This aspect doesn't do much to advance the story, something we found a bit distracting.
The acting in general, by non professional actors, fits the movie well. Mr. Capuando sets the action for his film in the streets of the Sanita district. Fabrizio Bentivoglio, is basically the only known face in the large cast. Mr. Bentivoglio shows a great range, as he becomes furious against the Camorra, to a tender side one sees when he is in the company of Nunzio, who he evidently adores passionately. His scenes with Nunzio show a restraint that speaks volumes about the director of the film, Antonio Capuano, who decided not to go for cheap shots. Emanuele Gargiulo is seen as the sweet Nunzio.
Antonio Capuano directed the film with an eye for detail, something that his cinematographer, Antonio Baldoni, captured Naples seamy side in all its splendor. Mr. Capuano makes us think about the role of this priest and his church in our society and how a gay man has to live in order to conform to its unspoken rules that discriminate men like Lorenzo to hide behind his role as a priest.
