The first two episodes of Marco Bellocchio's new series, Portobello, about one of the most terrible miscarriages of justice in Italy's history, were screened out of competition at the 82nd Venice Film Festival. The six-episode series will debut in 2026 on HBO Max, where it will be available globally (excluding France and Germany), including in the upcoming markets of Italy and UK.
Bellocchio, who co-wrote the script with Stefano Bises, Giordana Mari, and Peppe Fiore, notes that he created a powerful story that connects with a contemporary audience, even those outside Italy who are unfamiliar with the story: "As with Moro, I tried to portray characters that are also interesting abroad through a compelling narrative."
The cast includes Fabrizio Gifuni (as Enzo Tortora), Lino Musella, Barbora Bobulova, Romana Maggiora Vergano, Davide Mancini, Federica Fracassi, Carlotta Gamba, Giada Fortini, Massimiliano Rossi, Pier Giorgio Bellocchio, Gianfranco Gallo (as Raffaele Cutolo), and a cameo from Alessandro Preziosi.
The cinematography is by Francesco Di Giacomo, production design by Andrea Castorina, costumes by Daria Calvelli, editing by Francesca Calvelli, and music by Teho Teardo.
The HBO series is a production from Our Films, a Mediawan Group company, and Kavac Film, in co-production with ARTE France and in collaboration with Rai Fiction and The Apartment Pictures, a Fremantle Group company; produced by Lorenzo Mieli and Mario Gianani for Our Films and by Simone Gattoni for Kavac Film.
1982, Enzo Tortora, a well-known TV presenter and entertainer in Italy, is at the height of his success thanks to Portobello, a prime-time show with 28 million viewers and a "talking" parrot as guest of honour. The show focused on national issues and brought comfort to many, especially after the tragic Irpinia earthquake left indelible wounds on the people of Southern Italy. President Pertini appointed Tortora Commander of the Republic.
The earthquake also shook the newly regrouped crime organization, the Camorra, undermining the balance of its power structure. Giovanni Pandico (Lino Musella), trusted henchman to boss Raffaele Cutolo, watched Portobello regularly from his prison cell. When the fatal earthquake affects his position, he decides to collaborate and, when questioned, points the finger unexpectedly at: Enzo Tortora.
On June 17, 1983, the Carabinieri knocked on Tortora's hotel room door to arrest him. He thought it was a mistake, but it was only the beginning of an odyssey that would drag him from the heights to the abyss.
Gifuni, who plays the well-known presenter, describes the story as Kafkaesque, referencing "The Trial." "A terrible, very complex story where chance plays a major role, as does the phenomenon of popular emotion; after making him successful, the people can't wait to tear him to pieces."
Filming began in September 2024 in Rome and moved to Sardinia: Cagliari (October 14 to 21); Oristano (October 22 to 30) and Sassari (October 31 to November 7).
The production in Sardinia was supported by the Fondazione Sardegna Film Commission, from April 2024, with over a hundred extras and special extras for each shoot day. Filming (including some prison scenes) continued in Cinecittà Studios; Campania; and Lombardy.