The filming of "Gomorrah: Origins" in Naples has sparked discontent among locals who feel that media portrayal of their city perpetuates a harmful stereotype, overshadowing its vibrant culture and history.
Naples Residents Overwhelmed by 'Gomorrah' Spinoffs Demand a Break from Mob Portrayals
Naples Residents Overwhelmed by 'Gomorrah' Spinoffs Demand a Break from Mob Portrayals
With a new 'Gomorrah' prequel in production, Neapolitans express frustration over the constant negative depiction of their city and its culture.
A banner fluttered across a narrow Naples alley filled with tourist shops, carrying a bold proclamation: "Naples doesn’t support you anymore." This sentiment, directed at the Italian crime drama "Gomorrah," emerged as filming began for its latest spin-off, "Gomorrah: Origins," in the city's historic Spanish Quarter. The series, known for its intense and sometimes grim storylines surrounding the Camorra crime syndicate, has left many locals feeling misrepresented.
Since its debut, the "Gomorrah" franchise—originating from Roberto Saviano's 2006 nonfiction book—has cast a shadow over Naples, focusing primarily on crime and lawlessness. With a successful TV series that aired from 2014 to 2019, and several related films, the city has become synonymous with its dark themes. However, for residents like Gennaro Di Virgilio, a fourth-generation artisan who crafts Nativity figurines, enough is enough. "Basta," he declared, expressing weariness over the unrelenting focus on the city's underworld.
While Naples has seen a tourism boom in recent years, with visitors drawn to its rich history, gastronomy, and warmth, locals believe that their city is being typecast as a hub of crime and corruption. Despite improvements in its global image, the ongoing production of "Gomorrah" content has raised concerns that it reduces the complex identity of Naples and reinforces stereotypes about its inhabitants as merely figures in a narrative of crime.
As tourists flock to various hotspots connected to the show, such as the infamous Vele di Scampia public housing towers, locals like Di Virgilio stress the importance of shifting the narrative away from criminal tropes to celebrate the city's true essence. As the "Gomorrah" legacy continues to expand, many in Naples hope for a brighter depiction of their city, one that highlights its beauty, charm, and resilience beyond tales of the malavita.
