Checco Zalone’s “Buen Camino” Debuts Strong, Fueled by Provocative New Song
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The latest film from Italian comedian Checco Zalone, “Buen Camino,” has quickly become a box office success, grossing over €5.6 million on its opening day, Thursday, December 25th, making it the third-highest debut ever in Italian cinemas. The film’s success is bolstered by a characteristically ironic song, “Inflammation of the Prostate,” which premiered on Mediaset on December 17th.
“Buen Camino” centers on a wealthy, yet flawed, father attempting to reconnect with his daughter after she goes missing while walking the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route. The film’s narrative explores themes of familial reconciliation set against the backdrop of the iconic Spanish trail.
A Signature Song: “La Prostata Enflamada”
Central to Zalone’s films is often a memorable song, and “Inflammation of the Prostate” – performed by Zalone’s alter ego, Joaquin Cortison – continues this tradition. The lyrics, delivered in a blend of Italian and macaronic Spanish, detail the protagonist’s struggles with a painful prostate condition.
The song’s text is strikingly direct, detailing the discomfort and preoccupation with bodily functions: “Tonight of love and passion / With the girl of my heart / Who is eagerly waiting for me in bed / But I’m in the bathroom / I’ve been standing like this for three hours / Hoping that I look at the toilet / Finally there is a drop of pee.” The chorus repeatedly emphasizes the ailment: “You have an inflamed prostate / And I won’t tell you how much I cried / And that urologist laughed / While he took off his glove.”
Irony and Deeper Meaning
While seemingly crude, the song is not directly tied to the film’s plot beyond some references to Spain. Instead, it serves as a vehicle for Zalone’s signature brand of ironic humor. According to sources close to the production, “La Prostata Enflamada” is a reflection on the anxieties of aging and illness, presented in a deliberately provocative manner.
“Prostada Enflamada, evidently, is nothing else than a reflection on the fear of growing old and the illness which in the film is portrayed as a more internal growth on the part of the protagonist,” one analyst noted. The actor and director aims to “desecrate” serious themes, softening the film’s emotional weight with a dose of self-aware comedy.
Zalone has a proven track record of creating hit songs that resonate with audiences, including previous successes like “Angela,” “Sexual Men,” and “We Are a Very Strong Team.” This latest offering continues that trend, sparking conversation and contributing to the film’s overall appeal.
The film’s opening day success suggests that audiences are receptive to Zalone’s unique blend of humor and heartfelt storytelling, solidifying his position as a leading figure in Italian cinema.
