A2 Film Studies: Background research on 'Gomorrah'

The story is based on a book by Italian writer/journalist Roberto Saviano, which was released in 2006.
The book, entitled 'Gomorrah' details organized crime caused by the Camorra, a criminal organization based in Naples, Italy.
Since it's release, Saviano has received numerous death threats from mobsters and Godfathers of the Casalesi clan.
Saviano has had to be escorted by police ever since and is currently in hiding.

In 2008, however, Saviano announced that he wanted to leave Italy. "I want a life. I want a home. I want to fall in love. I want to [be able to] drink a beer in public, go to a bookshop and choose a book after browsing the back cover," Saviano said. "I want to go for a walk, enjoy the sun, walk in the rain and see my mother without fear - and without frightening her. I'm only 28 years old for fuck's sake."
The book has sold over 1million copies in Italy.

In 2006, the number of those killed in Naples and the surrounding areas was 72, of which 50 were Camorra-linked .

In 2006, a known mafioso was shot dead in full view of the public by the Cathedral in Scampia as he was coming out of bar. In the summer a Canadian tourist was shot in the leg by a stray bullet during a Mafia shootout, and an American tourist who gave chase to two muggers was set on by local people who sympathised with the criminals rather than the victim. Hotels have taken to handing guests plastic watches so they can leave their expensive items in the hotel safe.

A2 Film Studies