Portobello (2025) s01e02 Episode Script

1
OFFICIAL SELECTION OF THE 82ND
VENICE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Can you confirm that Enzo Tortora is
an affiliate of the New Organized Camorra?
Certainly, Your Honor.
I can confirm it.
Enzo Tortora is one of us.
[fanfare playing]
SECOND EPISODE
Good evening.
My name is Christopher Columbus.
Now, regarding the story of the statue
graciously dedicated to me in Moconesi,
I would like to ask the great citizens
of Moconesi,
are we live now?
So, do I look more similar
to Christopher Columbus
or does the statue? So what do you say?
[crowd cheering]
And with that, I say, "Land, land, land."
And just there, if I look a little closer,
the ending of yet another lovely season
of this great show.
Now, I'd love to thank and extend
our gratitude to our incredible audience,
and say from the bottom of my heart,
see you all next year!
[all applauding]
We're done. Thank you.
I'm gonna step away. Ah, thanks.
Thank you.
Thank you. I'll see you all later.
[chuckles]
-All right, so, how was I out there?
-It was a triumph.
I feel like we did a pretty good job
with this season, too, didn't we?
-Oh, we did it!
-Have you reached a decision?
Shall we keep going?
Yes. I still really enjoy it.
[knocking at door]
[knocking continues]
ROME
JUNE 17, 1983
[knocking continues]
Who's there?
Carabinieri.
[tense music playing]
What's going on here?
We've received orders to have
a look around your room.
What do you mean, have a look?
[light switch clicks]
[items clanging]
Do you think you could be a bit more
careful? That's a gift from my daughter.
Excuse me, but you come barging into
my hotel room at god-knows-what hour,
and I have every right to demand
to know why.
You need to come to the station.
-They'll explain it to you.
-No, but wait--
Sir, I apologize.
That's all I can tell you.
Will you tell me which station
you're bringing me to, at least?
Operations Center, 88 Selci Street.
Well, I'd better let my sister know that.
I'm sorry, Commendatore.
[sirens blaring]
-[knock on door]
-[door opens]
[door closes]
Good morning.
Good morning.
Captain. Sorry, but what's going on here?
Enzo Marcello Claudio Tortora
You are under arrest, sir.
What do you mean, I'm under arrest now?
There's a warrant for your arrest from
the Naples Public Prosecutor's Office.
I'm sorry, but hold on a second.
Surely someone must have
the same name that I have.
There's lots of Tortoras
in the Naples area.
What's the accusation? What did I do?
We're not required to inform you of that.
And so?
He has very high blood pressure.
[sighs]
[phone ringing]
The search didn't reveal anything
of significance, sir.
Report back.
[door opens]
[both sigh in relief]
Were you able to find out anything?
Camorra, and trafficking
of illegal narcotics.
How unreal is that?
It's absurd. I'm sure it'll all get
cleared up right away.
Here, I brought you a few little things.
-But why? I'm sorry.
-I don't know.
I mean, they said they might be
useful to you in here.
Enzo, we've got to be obedient.
We have to do what they tell us to,
and cooperate in this moment.
It's only a bad dream.
But I'm still wide awake here!
Regardless, I have faith they'll fix this.
You can call a lawyer
if you would like to.
Yes, I'm calling Raffaele.
-Raffaele.
-What happened?
Well, look, this is crazy.
I've been arrested.
Well, I'm calling you from
a Carabinieri Precinct.
Is this a joke?
No. No, no. It's real. Not a joke.
But for what? What charges
do they have on you?
Camorra, and trafficking
of illegal narcotics.
Yes, yes. All right.
Well, they won't tell me anything in here,
but now Anna says that apparently
some news agencies are reporting things
that are mentioning the Camorra
and trafficking of illegal narcotics.
-But that's madness.
-That's what I'm saying, it's crazy!
I know.
-It's literal madness.
-Enzo.
Don't say anything. I'm coming.
Thank you, Raffaele.
I'll be on the first flight.
-I'll see you.
-Bye.
-See you soon.
-See ya.
[sighs deeply]
Sorry, your time is up.
Bye. See you.
I hope you won't need those things.
And RAI, what do we do about it?
We need to sign the contract
and confirm it.
Don't worry about that.
It's gonna work out, okay? Don't worry.
And I'm sure they will wait for you.
[telephone ringing]
-Yes, hi.
-[woman] Francesca. Have you heard?
Heard what? I was sleeping.
The police arrested Enzo.
What'd you say?
Just turn on the radio. It's everywhere.
[man on radio] There are also well-known
figures whom the public could never have
associated with the criminal underworld.
Enzo Tortora, the popular television
program host, has been arrested in Rome.
He's been accused of
belonging to the Camorra,
and of having trafficked illicit drugs.
The judiciary
Would you like a coffee, anything?
A hot tea, if that's possible.
-[captain] Private.
-[constable] Yes, Captain.
[captain] Have some tea brought in.
[indistinct chatter]
And where am I being taken?
[captain] To Regina Coeli, I think.
Ah
To jail.
RAI
ITALIAN RADIO AND TELEVISION
But what are we waiting for now?
An order.
I imagine the news of this
has already started to spread.
Hello. How you doing?
[reporters chatter indistinctly]
They all know that I'm here.
We'll let you out the back.
No one will see you.
And we won't cuff you either.
Goodbye, Mr. Tortora.
[man on radio] Enzo Tortora, who fell ill
at the time of his arrest,
was served last night
with a lengthy arrest warrant
alleging numerous serious crimes
connected with the organization
of Camorra activities.
According to the authorities,
he is a member
of the New Organized Camorra,
the Cutolo Group,
that has committed crimes
against persons and property,
trafficking in arms and narcotics and
-Hello, Anna.
-Hi.
[Silvia] Come in, Auntie.
You were with him. Did you see him?
-How is he?
-Everything's fine. Don't worry.
Let's put the suitcases over here
so that Gaia doesn't have to see them.
[man on radio] these are just some
of the astounding charges
against one of the most
popular television personalities.
Tortora was born in Genoa in 1928,
and normally resides in Milan.
The news has caused
a great stir in all circles,
especially television and entertainment.
-[telephone ringing]
-Yes?
Francesca, it's Anna.
I already know. I'll head to Rome now.
No, no, don't go anywhere yet.
Just stay there.
I'll call you if there's anything new.
But why stay?
Listen, we know journalists well.
They're vultures. Please stay home
and keep quiet.
-I'll call you.
-Wait. Tell me where he is.
In a Carabinieri station.
That's all I know.
Stay there.
Anna, come on.
I can't just stay here and wait.
Well, you have to, okay?
It's all being taken care of.
-Sorry, but I have to go.
-[slams phone]
[tense music playing]
[camera shutter clicks]
THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC
HEAD OF THE ORDER OF MERI
OF THE ITALIAN REPUBLIC HAS CONFERRED
[officer] Mr. Tortora, we have to go.
But do I really need to wear these?
You need to.
It's just, the Captain said I was free--
It's mandatory.
Are you afraid I'll escape?
[sighs]
-[cameras clicking]
-[reporter] He's here! He's here!
-[reporter 2] He's right here!
-Here he is!
There he is, right here!
-Enzo, please. Enzo, this way.
-[reporter 2] Please.
[overlapping voices]
[reporter 1] Is it true?
-This way. Over here.
-Is it true?
Do you have anything to say, Enzo?
Give us a statement.
-[overlapping voices]
-A photo, please!
Enzo! Enzo! But is it all true, Enzo?
-Enzo, is it all true?
-Did you really lie?
Enzo, was there any contract
with the Camorra? Anything?
Any contract with the Camorra?
[reporter 3] Are you actually
a drug dealer?
Are you dealing drugs for the mafia?
All of you Italian journalists
are going to have to be
very, very careful regarding this story.
His wrists! His wrists!
Be sure to get that.
Go on. Get a good look, everybody.
Behold how the mighty have fallen.
[commotion continues]
You're a thief! Shame on you!
Shame on you!
Look at this injustice.
Get a good look.
[overlapping voices]
[man] You're a criminal!
Enzo. Enzo. A statement please.
[man 2] You're a liar, you son of a bitch!
You're a thief!
[people shouting]
[Italian folk song playing]
[song ends]
REGINA COELI PRISON
[guard] Your personal details.
Tortora.
Enzo Claudio Marcello.
IF YOU HAVE ANY STATEMENTS TO MAKE
[camera shutter clicks]
Left profile, sir.
[camera shutter clicks]
Right profile.
[camera shutter clicks]
You can wash your hands.
You are?
Tortora. Enzo Claudio Marcello.
You must deposit everything you own.
You'll get it back when you leave.
Your belt.
I'll need your watch, too.
I'm sorry, but why?
You can pull open the case.
You can swallow all the gears in there.
It happens here.
It's self-harm.
Well, I have a pair of glasses as well,
but I really need those to see.
You can keep them.
Sign here.
Now, put your arms up.
Okay, please turn around.
You may get dressed now. Thank you.
-What do I do with it?
-Take it.
[guard] Let's go.
-Hey, it's Tortora!
-[prisoner] No way!
Oh, it's him, all right!
Portobello!
Portobello!
[prisoners chanting] Portobello!
Portobello! Portobello!
Hey, don't go thinking you're special.
[prisoners chanting]
Hey. Come here. Commendatore Tortora.
I got a few things I want to tell you. Oh!
[prisoners taunting]
[prisoner 3, high-pitched] Portobello!
That's your bed there,
and that's the bathroom.
Good morning to you.
Good morning, Mr. Tortora.
I'll take care of that.
[Enzo] Thank you.
Good morning.
Sure, it's not a five-star hotel,
but it has what you need to survive.
All of us here
are detainees awaiting trial.
Since all of us are stuck
in the same boat,
might as well introduce ourselves. Ennio.
Enzo.
Well, "Enzo," I imagine
you already know my name.
Cristiano.
Known as "The Siphon."
[chuckles] It's because I'm always
snoring. I have a nasal polyp thing.
So, yeah, I'm sorry. It's not my fault.
I'm Nonno, 'cause of my age.
Pleasure, sir.
Ugo.
Every one of us is innocent here.
My name is Rosario.
Your bed's ready, Mr. Tortora.
Thank you.
They screwed him over.
-[Nonno] Ready?
-Mm-hmm.
I made a pot of coffee.
-You want any?
-No, thank you.
It's a million degrees in this joint.
What the hell? [mumbling]
All right.
[Ennio] You'll get used to it eventually.
-That's for sure.
-Yeah.
[all chuckle]
[Ennio] God, it's too hot.
I heard that across the block,
they made their own fans.
[Rosario] God, I thank you for this food
and for sustaining us
in Your holy service.
In the name of Father,
and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
[speaking Arabic]
[man on radio speaking in the background]
Bon appétit.
Enjoy your meal.
[man on radio]
in support of disarmament continue.
In Stuttgart,
a difficult European summit goes on.
The clash is over the issue
of financing the Community.
Eight hundred and fifty arrest warrants
were executed
in a massive operation last night
against the Camorra.
The arrest of Enzo Tortora
has caused a mass sensation.
[reporter] These are unsettling images.
It's perplexing to see a figure
like Enzo Tortora
accompanied by the Carabinieri,
who arrested him last night in Rome
while executing a warrant
for the alleged crime
of participation in Camorra activities.
The news has caused nationwide shock,
especially in the world
of journalism and entertainment,
where Tortora has been a longtime
respected professional in the industry.
The popular presenter,
who fell ill at the moment of his arrest,
was shaken by the blow,
even though he had already been informed
yesterday afternoon by some journalists
about rumors of an arrest warrant
planned to be executed against him.
His colleagues all recalled
that he displayed a rather amused reaction
-in being told this news.
-[sighs softly]
Tortora, they say, thought
it was a case of mistaken identity
Your son is such a good person.
He doesn't deserve this.
his honor,
and the immediate recognition
[Rosario] Mr. Tortora,
would you like some pasta?
No. No, thank you.
narcotics, substantiated by
the alleged test
Give him time, he won't go hungry.
their evidence against Tortora
is comprehensive.
Another 800 suspects were
apprehended in addition
My mother adores the guy.
[reporter continues in the background]
From the stars to the stables.
I wanna see Enzo.
[Anna] That's impossible.
I'll fly into Rome. I don't
I have to see Enzo.
It can't be done.
And it's not even
a question of convenience.
It's the law.
It's only family, honey.
Silvia, Gaia, the closest.
And even his wife.
But how can anyone stand by
through such an injustice?
I mean, he has no one,
not even RAI at his defense, Anna!
Francesca, you have to be strong and calm,
as much as is possible.
We all have to be. Even his daughters.
Right now, for Enzo,
you must stay out of it.
-But why? I can't.
-The newspapers will latch onto anything
just to smear him.
Stay at home, and only use the telephone.
Are we clear?
-I have to go.
-Yes, yes. Excuse me.
You're right. Yes.
Bye.
[reporter] as of now, he still remains
in the custody of the
[sighs]
[breathing heavily]
[whispers] I can't believe this.
[exhales]
[door unlocks]
[clanging]
[door shuts]
[sighs softly]
This way.
[breathing shakily]
Hi. Hi.
Hey.
Um Enzo,
I brought you a few little things.
Some underwear, a few shirts,
some pants
and I brought this little fan as well.
So you sleep better.
[fan whirring]
Thank you.
-Thank you, Raffaele.
-No, of course, Enzo.
What's everyone out there
gonna think of me?
They'll say you're innocent.
The resounding majority of Italians today
sincerely believe that you're innocent.
They're positive you have nothing to do
with these charges.
Don't get angry.
THE CAMORRA FINALLY BEHIND BARS
RAIDS ACROSS ITALY, HUNDREDS OF ARRESTS
ENZO TORTORA HANDCUFFED
FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING
"I DON'T LIKE THIS PERSON!"
"YOU DON'T GO AND HANDCUFF SOMEONE
IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGH
UNLESS YOU HAVE GOOD REASONS."
TOUGH TIMES FOR THE "TEAR-JERKERS"
ENZO TORTORA HAS CONFESSED!
"Enzo Tortora confessed."
But what have I confessed to?
I mean, these are just total lies.
What, you're telling me there isn't one?
-Isn't one what?
-That's in my defense!
It's the first wave, okay? Don't worry.
Once they see how big a mistake this is,
they'll immediately backtrack.
You know what that really means.
They'll put a couple of lines on
the back page, those scoundrels.
But not even RAI said
anything about all this.
-Just wait a moment, I'm sure they'll--
-But when you see this stuff,
you know, how you feel
the second you look at it.
It's all immediate
with these sorts of things.
Francesca, is she okay?
Yes, she's doing fine.
And Silvia and Gaia are all right, too.
You only need to be thinking
of your own health and well-being, okay?
And RAI?
Nothing. They've vanished. [scoffs]
They aren't as brave as you'd think.
But what's going on with all this hate
and all these lies, huh?
Because I'm not a Communist or a Freemason
-or a Christian Democrat!
-What are you saying, Enzo?
No! All Italians
are on your side completely.
That's what truly matters.
If a bunch of second and third-rate
journalists are finding it enjoyable,
it's because they're envious.
So be it then.
You are and will stay number one.
But this one here.
This is what an actual judge said.
I mean, have you actually read any of it?
"You can't get out of jail
just because you're popular."
He's one judge out of 5,000 others.
Now, this Pandico, Giovanni,
that everyone's writing about,
who's accusing me, do we know this guy?
-He's a Camorrista.
-[scoffs]
Well, he's an informant now,
or what I guess he's loosely defining
as "disassociated."
He's dismantling it all piece by piece,
the organization and Raffaele Cutolo.
He was a murderer,
similar to Pasquale Barra.
Actually, serial murderer.
Great. So, now I'm in the hands
of two mass murderers.
That's not what we should be
focused on here.
At the interrogation,
we'll clear all of this up
and we'll get you out of here.
And thanks to the newspapers,
because the prosecutors told us nothing,
we were able to find out
where this started.
-What're you saying?
-The lace doilies.
Do you remember them?
The prisoner who was protesting
about that lost package.
Of course, I remember.
I was really pissed off
about that entire thing.
-What was his name? Barbaro!
-[Raffaele] Yes.
But wait, wasn't he 'Ndrangheta?
How's he related to the Camorra?
He shared a cell
with Pandico in Porto Azzurro,
that's who wrote all of his letters.
See, Barbaro's illiterate.
He doesn't even know the alphabet,
and Pandico is alleging that the doilies
were packages of narcotics,
so the press is saying,
and it's always been them,
because the news
is the only way we hear anything.
Narcotics and drugs?
But even though I wrote a letter
where I thought I explained
everything to this guy!
To this Barbaro!
And there was even a settlement from RAI,
-don't you remember that?
-Yes, yes.
And in fact, we're looking for it,
and we'll find it.
Then we'll clear you of this too.
Yes, but when, though?
When's my interrogation, Raffaele?
Any day now.
You have to be patient, Enzo.
We're in Borgo Sant'Antonio to investigate
and hear about the arrest of Enzo Tortora.
[indistinct chatter]
Good morning to you all.
What do you think about Enzo Tortora?
In your opinion, is he guilty or innocent?
He's a martyr, yeah.
If you're asking me, he's fine in jail.
The guy was a disappointment.
I never liked him, to tell you the truth.
It's fine with me.
Can you even be an actual "liberal"?
You're either a Christian, a Democrat,
-or a Communist, that's all.
-Exactly.
Gentlemen, good morning.
Do you think that Enzo Tortora
is truly guilty, or innocent?
We'll just wait for the sentence.
We have complete faith in the judges,
they're our heroes.
I'm really struggling over here.
You think I can worry about Enzo Tortora
and the billions he's got? Take a hike.
And if he has billions,
why would he steal from the mafia?
And why would he have to deal cocaine?
Do you have any money for a sandwich?
Caritas is down that way.
Well, in my own opinion,
I believe Enzo Tortora
is a very good person, and
I think he might commit suicide
at any moment
due to this terrible situation,
and the shame, more than anything.
They should be having him
under surveillance, day and all night.
I'm convinced of one thing,
and that's if the man
wants to commit suicide,
well, at some point,
he'll find the time to do it.
-But that's just my opinion.
-No. Can I say something?
I really think Enzo Tortora
should've been given an Oscar.
Because he fooled 28 million Italians,
that's not good.
Excuse me, uh
1,000 lire for the service?
-For the service?
-Yeah, yeah, I was a part of it too, huh?
Oh, please, I'll go walk somewhere else.
[man] 500 even. Just 500.
Good morning, ma'am.
What do you think of Enzo Tortora?
Do you think he's guilty or innocent?
There's no doubt about it,
Enzo Tortora is innocent.
You know what's happening, right?
It's clear as day!
The Reds, always! It's the Reds!
-Thanks so much. Have a nice day.
-Have a good day, thank you.
-Thank you.
-Excuse me, where's my thousand lire, guy?
-There was never a thousand lire, no.
-Excuse me.
-We're working here.
-But who are you?
We're from RAI,
we're just doing a news feature.
And who authorized that?
No, but it's nothing crazy.
I mean, I'm just asking questions.
Well, we people here
value honesty and hard work.
No, but we're just asking--
Hey! Someone grab him!
Hey, come back here!
[man] Hey! The thousand lire!
-Hey, you! Come back!
-Get back here!
The journalists, they publish news
that shouldn't have been
put in the public eye.
They confuse and twist public opinion,
and then they violate
the secrecy of the investigation,
and that is not acceptable.
We don't know
who is leaking information to the press
NAPLES
CASTEL CAPUANO COUR
whether it's the defendants themselves
or the defendants' lawyers.
But one thing is for certain.
If we had these people arrested,
it's because there's proof
as to what they've done.
You see, we're living in a city
where the Camorra
murders another
innocent citizen every day.
And we magistrates are the first stop
to bring about justice and legality.
So we have to move quickly.
It's what the citizens desire.
They demand that we take action on this.
And I believe that,
having made these arrests,
we have provided a very substantial
and concrete response
to that age-old, pessimistic
outlook we have in this city.
What'd they say, it's always,
"No, no. There's no way to fix it,
it's futile."
"It's useless to even try,
it would be a giant waste of time."
And, "It's always the same
in Naples, isn't it?"
"They're all thieves,
they're all corrupt." Right?
Well, no! That's not true,
those aren't facts.
Prosecutor Cedrangolo,
the reports that are cycling
through the press all seem to indicate
that the immensely damning
evidence against Tortora--
It's really not that damning, actually.
It's not only against Tortora,
not just solely,
but against another 800 others
that we're also investigating.
I mean, Tortora is only one,
only one name,
but there are 800 others on our list.
Yes, yes, he's just one but he's someone
that every Italian has heard of, right?
And Italians, reeling in disbelief,
want to know about the real Enzo Tortora,
and whether he's innocent
or if he's a Camorrista.
So the testimonies
are from two state witnesses,
Camorristi who've disassociated
from the New Organized Camorra of Cutolo,
named Pasquale Barra and Giovanni Pandico.
As reported, after all,
by the journalists.
No. That's what you're saying.
You mentioned them. I never said anything.
So in fact, you're confirming it.
So, they've both actually repented, then?
So they've become good?
Alright, spare me the irony.
It's not the time.
Listen, redemption
isn't just a Christian concept.
There are many men in history
who have sincerely repented.
[laughs] You recall, don't you?
The repentance of Father Cristoforo,
you learned that in school?
A repentance he atoned for
with a life of poverty and solitude,
and total and absolute dedication.
Then, Father Cristoforo, as you're aware,
passed away at the hospital
while he was still acting in service
of the plague-stricken.
Let us also remember
the ultimate repentance of Saint Peter,
after he denied Jesus three times.
We all grew up in the parish, anyway.
See right here?
This is our copy of the receipt
for the transfer that was sent.
Which of these two prosecutors
is the Maradona of the legal world?
The one who's always
wearing his shades. Di Pietro.
-He's the one in command here.
-[door opens]
-Good morning.
-Good morning.
[briefcase thuds]
The innocent man is like a bat
that goes crashing into walls
because it cannot find the way out.
As you know, the criminal charges are that
you belong to the Camorra
and are trafficking narcotics.
Do you plead innocent or guilty
to these charges that I've read?
Totally, completely innocent.
It's within your rights to affirm that.
We haven't come here
to ask you to confess it.
The Public Prosecutor
does not acquit or condemn.
We just merely compile evidence and clues.
And once at trial, if it gets there,
you'll be officially judged.
Well I'll stay brief then.
But why do you have to be brief,
excuse me?
Your Honor,
with all due respect, if I can say.
We haven't heard from anybody
-as to what proof there is--
-Counselor, there's evidence.
Allow me to assure you.
We don't arrest without reason.
We're gathering more currently.
Beyond all the evidence we have already.
Or else, why would we have arrested you?
Your Honors
not only am I innocent,
I am so completely innocent of it,
and I have absolutely
no idea why I'm here.
-Enter that?
-He already said that.
Sorry, but isn't it evident?
Now, I have four questions to be answered.
Have you ever known,
or have had a companionship
with a Domenico Barbaro?
No.
No. Alright.
I do not know who this man is at all,
nor have I ever met him in my entire life.
Your Honors, Mr. Domenico Barbaro
felt defrauded
following the misplacement
of some embroidered lace doilies
that had been sent to Portobello,
to be sold during the broadcast.
In fact, a letter was sent
to Portobello by Mr. Barbaro,
requesting the return of the doilies
that he had delivered to the show.
And as you can see here,
this is a copy of the letter sent
in response to him, by Enzo Tortora,
that he mailed in 1979,
containing his explanation
stating his non-involvement
in the disappearance of the doilies.
In fact, RAI, subsequently, at the
at the urge and request of Mr. Tortora,
decided to issue to Barbaro
856,000 as compensation.
And right here, we have the receipt
for the money that Barbaro received,
and in fact, accepted,
while still incarcerated.
BANK RECEIP
BARBARO DOMENICO
Please enter that, reporter.
Your Honors, if I can say.
I believe this clarifies
the entire situation.
Have you been to Ottaviano?
No, never.
Hmm.
Have you ever known a
a certain Alfredo Guarnieri?
No.
Why don't I refresh your memory for you?
He's a young Camorrista,
godson to Raffaele Cutolo,
and he wrote this letter while in prison,
addressed directly to you.
-To me?
-To you.
"Enzo, I'm writing to you
because there's a matter
that needs to be settled.
You know what I'm talking about."
You wouldn't have ever received it,
as it was never mailed.
But then, why were you
making me read it aloud?
I mean, is this the Theater of the Absurd
here, or what?
[scoffs]
Do you know her?
[Enzo] No. I don't think so, no.
[Di Pietro] Really think about it.
-Her name is Nadia Marzano.
-[Enzo] No.
And who is she?
What's she do for a living, Your Honor?
Counselor, what do you expect?
It's prostitution.
No, but what are you implying, Your Honor?
What is it?
No, you said it as if
you were stating something obvious,
like I'm somebody who's a frequent,
habitual patron of prostitution.
No, sir, you are confused.
I was only responding to your lawyer.
No, I-- No, no, no, no.
The tone you had was very Hmm.
Let's drop it.
No, I'll say "drop it"
when we're done here, if I may.
[solemn music playing]
Wait, sorry, you're already finished?
I've asked the four questions.
We don't visit out of courtesy.
We're finished here.
No, but we were hoping for some answers,
exactly who has been accusing him
and exactly of what he's accused.
We're learning from reporters
and journalists.
Your Honor, we have
no formal information here.
In due time, Counselor. Don't have a fit.
But I have to go to the newsstand
every day to see what's going on.
With the clerk who collects
all the papers for me,
so I can see what they're all saying.
I'm following the case
through the newsstand,
so how're you gonna tell me
"not to have a fit," huh?
The television and the journalists.
So much for secrecy.
They are all talking about
these two informants
-named Pandico and Barra.
-Do not insinuate, Counselor.
Watch that tone.
We've had no part in those revelations.
Our investigative secrecy still holds.
Your Honor, there's no insinuation
when all I see are investigative secrets
going directly to the newsstand!
Are the leaks coming from
the Prosecutor's office of Napoli?
Best of luck to you.
[door opens]
What'd he mean "best of luck to you?"
That's what you hear
from the fortune tellers out on the street
right after they convince you
to buy a lottery ticket.
In your opinion, how did it go? Badly?
Enzo, I'm just starting
to realize right now
that what's clear to us,
what's absolutely evident,
is incomprehensible to either of them.
Incredible.
We just have to be patient a little more.
So you are asserting
that the doilies from Domenico Barbaro
PASTRENGO BARRACKS,
NAPLES
are instead boxes of cocaine?
[Giovanni] I assert and confirm as such.
Yet we have in our possession this letter
that Tortora wrote to Domenico Barbaro.
And the receipt for the settlement
RAI had issued Barbaro.
There's a contradiction here, Pandico.
Well, no, there isn't.
The letter in response
from Tortora to Domenico Barbaro
doesn't contradict the intention
or double-intention to the doilies,
which, uh, in reality,
I do confirm are shipments of cocaine.
That's how it operates.
Like with the receipt,
and the same with the settlement,
and the actual doilies. They're, uh
Those are what, in spy jargon, are
something referred to
as a "cover action," Your Honor.
Mr. Di Pietro, excuse me,
but I can't keep up with him.
Stop, reporter.
We'll have him repeat it later.
Please.
Cover actions, related to large quantities
of cocaine that the Camorra
had made monthly deliveries of
and entrusted for sale
to Enzo Tortora, for him to distribute
throughout the entertainment world.
A world in which everyone is aware
that the consumers are just
innumerable. The demand is immense.
After all, they're there. It's obvious.
And Tortora himself, when he--
when he broadcast Portobello, you know
He didn't ever relent,
he was always moving, you know, he
He, uh He just didn't stop.
Like he could go for hours.
That's the effect that cocaine has.
It exhilarates you.
Uh-huh and with the exhilaration,
combined with intense greed,
does opportunity make the man a thief.
And, um for one batch of cocaine,
Tortora had put to the side
60 million in cash
he was instructed to have delivered
straight to Raffaele Cutolo.
And with such an action, such a betrayal,
by the law of the Camorra,
he was already condemned,
he was dead. Understand?
And everything was already in place.
Alfredo Guarnieri,
the one whose letter never made it,
was already ready, and then
at the very last moment, Cutolo
Cutolo comes to me and he says
he says that--
I recall it perfectly, in fact. He says,
"Giovanni," to me, he says,
"Wait a minute, wait a minute,
wait a minute.
Enzo Tortora is important to me.
He belongs to me."
And that-- I mean,
"Whatever you say, Professor."
Eh?
[stammers] It's that
he's so well-liked in Italy,
if we follow through with it, eh
they're all gonna turn on us.
Give him a shot at redemption,
to make amends, and
and to repent for what he's done here.
You understand?
And if not for that, Enzo To--
Enzo Tortora would be dead. Hm?
"He belongs to me," said Cutolo?
"Important to me, belongs to me."
Now, Pandico, we would appreciate it
if you could recount that for us,
so that our reporter may write it down.
Again, Your Honor?
Yes, but-- But a bit slower, please.
As you wish, sir.
In actuality, the reply letter
from Tortora to Domenico Barbaro
[steno machine clicking]
does not contradict the intention,
or rather,
the double intention of the doilies.
Which, in reality, I do confirm
were shipments of cocaine.
[steno machine clicking]
[somber music playing]
YOUR SON IS A DRUG ADDIC
[camera shutter clicks]
Ma'am!
-[camera shutter clicks]
-[thuds]
TODAY 44 MILLION ITALIANS CHOOSE
JUNE 26, 1983
1979 GENERAL ELECTION RESULTS
Enzo, my mom told me
to vote for the right party.
"Christian Democracy," she said.
Well, vote for whomever you want.
The vote is voluntary.
The Lord sees you.
-But He doesn't provide!
-I wouldn't try to be clever.
[prison officer] Tortora, Enzo.
[indistinct chatter]
[prison officer] Spedito, Cristiano.
PLI
ITALIAN LIBERAL PARTY
[indistinct chatter]
[prison officer] Notarbartolo, Rosario.
[TV news reporter] The Italian
Liberal Party obtained 2.9 percent.
AIEP NATIONAL CHAMBER
POL 83 - POL 79
In the general elections of 1979,
it had 1.9 percent.
Politicians are really
on a planet of their own, aren't they?
The PdUP, in the general elections
of 1979, obtained 1.4 percent
We're stuck in here
and they're over there.
[news on TV continues]
But why do you believe
voters are truly free to decide?
I don't believe it.
Tell me, the 28 million Italians
who watched Portobello.
Were they all free men?
No, they were-- they are, just slaves.
Those in desperation.
You, poor naive fool, believed that
you were the friend of the people,
that you were at the head of an army
of 28 million television viewers.
It was them.
The Localist Party obtained 0.2 percent
They are who put you in jail.
All they needed was a scapegoat.
That way, the Italians
would get distracted,
and forget all about it,
forget Ciro Cirillo and the DC.
Who, with the help
of Cutolo and the Camorra,
had paid out billions to keep them
from having the same fate as Aldo Moro.
And they're still up there.
Still splitting all their power.
Dividing it for themselves,
through the 50 billion
of earthquake reconstruction money,
which they'll divide among their friends
who voted their way,
and will vote for them again.
Yes, well, in any case,
I was still sent to jail.
And perhaps they sent me here,
but the ones keeping me here
are the judges.
That's true, but judges take orders.
And when there are
three murders a day in Naples,
someone has to pay for it.
[news on TV continues]
But do you really believe you're innocent?
All those poor devils,
the unemployed, the temp workers.
To you, their problems were insignificant.
The only value they had for you was that
they could play clown for you
on Portobello.
You're worse than an ordinary criminal,
who, at most, pulls off a bank robbery.
Is that so, huh?
You ruined the aspirations
of millions of Italians.
And sure, I killed.
But I was standing for a good idea,
with the wrong method.
You're a mass-level fraudster.
[sighs deeply]
Whose sole objective is to defend
his own success.
That's the difference that separates us.
Listen, I don't know whether I
[inhales]
in this long nightmare
that I've been living for ten days,
should even be entertaining
the politically-charged preachings
of an ex-revolutionary
who, I guess, reads Diabolik, but, look
What I can say, is that, um
The difference between the two of us is
the revolution that you support
appears to me to have fully
and unreservedly, uh
failed, because the masses,
who could've perhaps seen Portobello
[scoffs]
Well, they didn't follow all of you.
Very fortunately.
They didn't go and take up arms, right?
Whereas, my Portobello
had 28 million Italians
just enjoying themselves
for an hour and a half each Friday,
all watching,
maybe my bullshit, you could say, but
the difference with you all
is that I, with Portobello,
wasn't trying to remake the world.
So, yes, you
You're here for a real, specific reason.
I don't know why I'm still in this place.
That is the difference here.
[metal clinking]
[metal continues clinking]
[suspenseful music playing]
[metal door creaks]
[suspenseful music intensifies]
[loud bang]
As long as we've got the sun ♪
'Cause the sea is still here ♪
A girl heart to heart ♪
A song to sing ♪
Who had, had, had ♪
Who gave, gave, gave ♪
Let's forget the past ♪
We're from Naples, my friend! ♪
[bangs]
[suspenseful music playing]
Stand up, come on! To the barber.
[groans]
[exhales]
[groans softly]
[indistinct chatter]
[grunts]
[Enzo] But why? [yawns]
Because of lice.
[prison officer] Go on, come on.
[indistinct chatter]
[razor whirring]
-Enzo.
-What is it?
For me, this is a joy.
And why's that?
I'm like Saint Francis.
What the fuck, stay in line!
Why're you talking to me like that?
Have you no courtesy?
How dare you address me like that?
[metal banging]
Just unreal, I tell you.
[razor whirring]
[acoustic guitar playing]
That's it, that's it,
that's it, that's it', that's it!
[Italian acoustic song playing]
[indistinct chatter]
ENZO TORTORA BEHIND BARS
IN PRISON, DURING YARD TIME
JUSTICE UNDER SCRUTINY
THE IMAGE OF TORTORA THAT SHAKES ITALY
END OF SECOND EPISODE
Any references to real persons or events
are fictionalized for dramatic purposes.
All characters, institutions,
and entities are freely reinterpreted,
and any resemblance to persons,
living or dead, is purely coincidental.