Gomorrah (Film 2008)

Set amidst the hustle of present day Italy, 'Gomorrah' is a sobering and realistic depiction of the Camorra criminal organization, whose influence on the city of Naples is still active and growing. The film avoids romanticized sentiments embedded in audiences familiar with 'The Godfather' franchise, and embraces the haunting grittiness of a society that is indistinguishably linked to the factions of a secret society that dates back to the early 1800's. 'Gomorrah's original medium was the novel written by Roberto Saviano, which was released in 2006. it has sold over 2 million copies in Italy alone and has been heralded by the Italian people for giving a determinedly clear and brash look into the inner-workings of the organization. Although he has been championed by many common folk, he has also been granted lifetime 24/7 police surveillance due to the bounty neapolitan Camorra bosses have placed on his life.  Silvio Berlusconi and other major Italian political figures have even gone as far as criticizing Saviano by calling his writings unpatriotic, a seeming reflection of Berlusconi's cooperation with organized crime. Director Matteo Garrone's vision illustrates a visceral descent exclusive to Naples that shocks and mystifies the audience through a minimal and subtly ornamental approach.  If you are looking for a hollywood style crime flick, than this film is not for you. However, if you don't mind a fully subtitled movie and enjoy authentic, modern and socially driven foreign films than do yourself a favor and check it out.