Pierfrancesco Zalone, known as Checco, is launching a refined, trendy restaurant, named “Murgia e Sushi” in his village Spinazzola (BT). The restaurant is actually further south in the Madonna della Stella area of Gravina di Puglia (BA), on the Eastern side of the valley that delineates the residential centre, facing the Cathedral. To applause from friends and family and a singer of Japanese-sounding melodies, a conveyor belt displays plates of raw stuffed fish. Checco’s hopes are dashed after just one month in business and the man is forced to disappear, leaving his family to deal with the debts.
The scenario switches to a luxury resort in Africa: the production shot in Kenya (near the River Sabaki, Malindi and the mud huts and salt works in Ngomeni), the desert in Morocco and Malta. When war breaks out, Checco is forced to undertake the journey to the West with other desperate people. After many different disadventures, he sets out to sea from the beach of Punta Penna Grossa, north of Riserva Naturale di Torre Guaceto (BR).
While several scenes were shot in Rome’s Cinecittà Studios, the film’s ending takes us to Trieste where, in piazza Unità d’Italia, the Festival delle Contaminazioni is underway, featuring African dancers performing the pizzica (regional dance of Puglia).
Pierfrancesco Zalone, known as Checco, is launching a refined, trendy restaurant, named “Murgia e Sushi” in his village Spinazzola (BT). The restaurant is actually further south in the Madonna della Stella area of Gravina di Puglia (BA), on the Eastern side of the valley that delineates the residential centre, facing the Cathedral. To applause from friends and family and a singer of Japanese-sounding melodies, a conveyor belt displays plates of raw stuffed fish. Checco’s hopes are dashed after just one month in business and the man is forced to disappear, leaving his family to deal with the debts.
The scenario switches to a luxury resort in Africa: the production shot in Kenya (near the River Sabaki, Malindi and the mud huts and salt works in Ngomeni), the desert in Morocco and Malta. When war breaks out, Checco is forced to undertake the journey to the West with other desperate people. After many different disadventures, he sets out to sea from the beach of Punta Penna Grossa, north of Riserva Naturale di Torre Guaceto (BR).
While several scenes were shot in Rome’s Cinecittà Studios, the film’s ending takes us to Trieste where, in piazza Unità d’Italia, the Festival delle Contaminazioni is underway, featuring African dancers performing the pizzica (regional dance of Puglia).
The opening scenes demonstrate why Checco’s innovative idea to launch a sushi bar in Spinazzola is destined for failure: the residents of the area prefer their regional product, the salsiccia a punta di coltello, a handmade pork sausage produced in various areas of Murgia, including Altamura, Gravina di Puglia, Poggiorsini and Spinazzola.
When his restaurant “Murgia e Sushi” goes bankrupt and he is inundated by debt, the businessman Checco finds a welcome in Africa but a war will force him to return to Italy, taking the dangerous migrant route.
