Gomorrah: To kill and be killed is the way of life
Gomorrah, a film that reflects gruesome death in the most plaintive form begins with shots of killing and ends with being killed. Still, the movie pulsates around the characters that are foot soldiers of Camorra, which is one of the largest crime syndicates based in Naples, little known to many, with revenue income of $250 billion a year. On the celluloid, you will be taken on a ruthless trip to the stark and gruesome reality of Italian criminals killing one another with only one purpose and that is business. Camorra members hardly know the people who die for them each passing day, and for them there is nothing like friendship.
Director: Matteo Garrone
Cast: Salvatore Abruzzese, Simone Sacchettino, Salvatore Ruocco, Vincenzo Fabricino, Vincenzo Altamura, Italo Renda, Gianfelice Imparato, Maria Nazionale, Salvatore Striano, Carlo Del Sorbo
Rating: 3.5/5
Here, in Gomorrah, Camorra members would be discussing about their investment plans and contracts with the New York Federal officials on rebuilding the World Trade Center that meant business for both parties. But, as you see the film, you will be gripped with a feeling of utter remorse and fear as one getting killed after the other and your mind implores you to question as to who will survive through the end to keep the business going and why these people resign themselves to kill and eventually be killed.
The film resonates with victims and it has no heroes; it’s a film where the daily laborers are criminals with committing crime being their only work. This sullen film is set around the somber and hapless landscape of Naples, where infants are born to die seeing Naples alone. Gomorrah revolves around five threads; an illegal business operation on poisonous waste disposal, a fashion industry that grows from sweatshops, drugs, teenagers aspiring to take over Camorra, and finally there are shots of kids who dream to be gangsters as they grow up.
However, Matteo Garrone does not refer the characters of the film to The Godfather; one of the most popular and loved films worldwide. De Palma’s Scarface is at the finger tips of the teenagers. They are ready to sacrifice their lives at the cost of luxurious living amidst drugs and women. But, Gomorrah, in no time, did reflect any single shot of luxury. The families of these criminals try hard to feed their hungry mouths, and in one occasion it is seen that one of the Camorra members ride a bicycle to give stipend to the deceased or jailed Camorra members’ families. There is no hope and no way of life to lead.
Matteo Garrone has directed the film in a documentary style with no sizzles and no excitement. The killers had no glamor in contrast to the other gangster movies. Instead, it portrays harsh and bleak reality of the plans and problems of the murderers, their reason to kill or be killed. Horripilate scenes with need and fear simultaneously reigning supreme, and you will watch this film dreading. One can see the Camorra members climbing to the top positions not through the usual corporate ladder, otherwise laterally.
The film’s realism is based on Robert Saviano’s book and is all about facts and no fiction. It is believed that Saviano wrote this book with actual names and exactly how the Camorra members operated in the Naples. It is also said that the book is inspired and written with facts and the author even risked his life and used informants to make his story a true reflection of the Camorra members
The film is honored with a grand prize at the Cannes 2008 and is indeed a blockbuster in the entire Europe. Made in Italian, French and Mandarin languages with English subtitles, Gomorrah is unnerving with barren reality.
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