Marco Bellocchio Discusses His New TV Show ‘Portobello’, Rosebush Pruning Tips, and the Fiat-Chrysler Biopic ‘Falcon’

Renowned Italian director Marco Bellocchio has made a significant mark in cinema with approximately 60 credits that explore real-life figures entwined in Italy’s tumultuous history.

His latest film, Kidnapped: The Abduction of Edgardo Mortara, delves into the story of a Jewish boy taken by the Catholic Church from his family in the 1850s. Other works include The Traitor (2019), featuring Pierfrancesco Favino as Mafia informant Tommaso Buscetta; Vincere (2009), centered on Mussolini’s first wife, Ida Dalser; and Good Morning, Night (2003), which draws from Anna Laura Braghetti’s account of her role in the 1978 kidnapping and assassination of former Italian Prime Minister Aldo Moro.

Bellocchio’s recent six-part series, Portobello, premiered the first two episodes at the Venice Film Festival last September and is currently available on HBO Max. The series revisits the dramatic downfall of Enzo Tortora, a beloved TV presenter in Italy.

The title Portobello references Tortora’s popular variety show, which captivated up to 28 million viewers at its peak. The show drew its name from London’s Portobello Road market, reflecting its theme of connecting individuals seeking and offering something of value, and even featured a parrot as a mascot.

Fabrizio Gifuni in ‘Portobello’

Bellocchio explained his approach to selecting subjects for his films, stating, “There’s never a particular reason.” His interest in Tortora was sparked by reading the 2016 publication ‘Lettere a Francesa’, which consists of Tortora’s letters to his partner while incarcerated. Bellocchio noted, “That was the first light bulb moment,” although he acknowledged it took time to determine how to tell the story.

Reflecting on Tortora’s arrest, which shocked the nation, Bellocchio recounted that while he was never a fan of Portobello, he was nonetheless affected by the news: “My mother and sisters used to watch it. It had a huge audience… But when he was suddenly arrested on very serious charges – drugs, drug trafficking, and membership of the Camorra, the shock was immense.”

Tortora’s arrest was a turning point in his life, leading to a swift decline that culminated in his devastating imprisonment. “A famous man, a rich man, a beloved man, a man followed by 28 million television viewers, is suddenly obliterated by this accusation that combines the falsity of certain informants with the coincidence and bad luck of his name being exchanged for someone else’s,” Bellocchio explained.

After facing dire charges, Tortora found unexpected support from Italy’s left-libertarian Radical Party, which nominated him as a candidate for the European Parliament. His subsequent landslide victory in 1984 allowed him to avoid imprisonment following a conviction in a 1985 trial that initially sentenced him to ten years. “This incredible story won’t have a happy ending… he is completely ruined inside and dies… a year after his acquittal,” Bellocchio remarked.

The series also captures a pivotal era in Italy during the mid-1980s, transitioning from the political violence of the 1970s to economic prosperity. “There was a progressive decline in interest in politics,” Bellocchio noted, adding that the assassination of Aldo Moro marked the beginning of weaker party control. He drew a parallel with the emergence of Silvio Berlusconi, who shifted the political landscape in Italy.

Though Berlusconi sought to hire Tortora for his new TV network, the former presenter opted to reclaim his honor by returning to RAI. Tortora made a dramatic comeback in 1987, starting his first show with the phrase, “Well then, where did we leave off?” Yet, the trauma of his ordeal rendered him incapable of returning to light-hearted entertainment, leading him to pursue more meaningful endeavors, including advocating for prisoners.

The series, which premiered on February 20, coincides with the 60th anniversary of Bellocchio’s debut feature, Fist in the Pocket. “Someone wanted to make a film with Fists in the Pocket as the starting point,” Bellocchio mentioned, positioning the new work within a broader context of his artistic journey.

Looking ahead, Bellocchio is also developing a film focusing on the life of Sergio Marchionne, the late automobile executive known for reviving Fiat and merging it with Chrysler. “I’m fascinated by his journey and his ability as an Italian who stood up to American big business to defend Fiat,” he stated. The project, tentatively titled Falcon, reflects Marchionne’s frequent travels on a Falcon business jet.

Portobello, with its gripping narrative and profound themes, continues to air weekly on HBO Max, with a new episode debuting every Friday, including episode 3 on March 6.