How a tragic accident in Naples shaped a director's cinematic journey toward Rome
In short: Paolo Sorrentino’s 2021 drama is a deeply personal reflection on his own upbringing. The story follows Fabietto Schisa, a young man in 1980s Naples whose life is irrevocably altered by a sudden family tragedy. Amidst grief and the city's obsession with Diego Maradona, he discovers his true calling in filmmaking.
The film serves as a semi-autobiographical account of Paolo Sorrentino’s youth. Set in 1984, the narrative centers on Fabietto, whose carefree existence is disrupted by family tensions and the arrival of football legend Diego Maradona in Naples. The title itself references Maradona’s infamous 1986 goal, a connection that sparked potential legal scrutiny from the athlete's representatives during production.
The turning point occurs when Fabietto’s parents perish from a carbon monoxide leak while he is away attending a football match. This event, which mirrors the director's own life, forces the protagonist to confront survivor's guilt and search for meaning. His journey is marked by encounters with eccentric relatives, local smugglers, and the harsh advice of director Antonio Capuano, who encourages him to find stories within his own home city rather than using cinema solely as a means of escape.
Critics have frequently compared Sorrentino’s stylistic approach to that of Federico Fellini. Reviews from outlets like The New York Times and The Guardian praised the film’s vivid, exuberant, and sensual nature. While the film was not Sorrentino's most acclaimed work, it earned significant recognition, including the Grand Jury Prize at the 78th Venice International Film Festival and a nomination for the Best International Feature Film category at the 94th Academy Awards.
Despite the extensive years spent gathering memories, Sorrentino completed the screenplay in just two weeks. The final product, which premiered in September 2021, captures a specific moment in Neapolitan history. By the time Fabietto boards a train to Rome, the film has transformed from a portrait of adolescent loss into a meditation on the power of storytelling and the pursuit of an artistic future.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: The Hand of God (film)
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