2023-10-27 21:09:14
by Aldo Grasso
The Disney+ series inspired by Stefania Auci’s novels tells the story of the rise of the Florio family, those of tuna and Marsala
I saw the first four episodes of «The Lions of Sicily» (there are four others), the series inspired by Stefania Auci’s novels (I haven’t read them) and which talks about the rise of the Florio family, those of the tuna and the Marsala. We are in the 19th century and the nouveau riche, already despised by Tomasi di Lampedusa, are trying to get rid of the reputation of “porter”, in a Sicily where the nobility, in many cases with patches on their bottoms, still consider themselves a superior social class and looks at the bourgeois with contempt (“Your money tastes like sweat”).
It all begins with an earthquake in Bagnara Calabra, in 1799, which forces the brothers Paolo (Vinicio Marchioni) and Ignazio Florio (Paolo Briguglia) to move to Palermo, where they intend to open a spice shop. Despite the great economic difficulties and the worries of Paolo’s wife, Giuseppina (Ester Pantano as a young woman and Donatella Finocchiaro later), the Florios managed to become wealthy merchants, although opposed by the decadent local nobility.
However, it will be Paolo’s son, Vincenzo Florio (Michele Riondino), who will make them become true captains of industry, as well as one of the most important dynasties of that Italy that was traveling towards the modern era. There is also a love story with a bourgeois woman from Lombardy (Miriam Leone) who gives in very easily to Vincenzo’s flattery and even agrees to be a kept woman before getting married.
The Lions of Sicily, interview with Miriam Leone, Michele Riondino and Paolo Genovese
The screenplay is by Ludovica Rampoldi and Stefano Sardo, directed by Paolo Genovese. The vintage photography immediately brings to mind the atmosphere of the most famous soap operas – suggestion dies hard –, ennobled by more or less cultured quotes: «La terra trema» and «Il Gattopardo» by Visconti, «Bridgerton» by Shonda Rhimes. And then, to mix the expressive registers, there is that strange soundtrack with rock and pop pieces and Laura Pausini. The melodramatic tone goes well with the rich setting, very refined and never ornamental, the perfect setting for historical references: the Bourbons, the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, the popular revolts, the influence of the English, Garibaldi, the Savoys… The saga It’s there, but the epic writing is missing.
October 27, 2023 (modified October 27, 2023 | 9:59 pm)
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