John Turturro, known for his versatile acting and directing career, unveils a personal journey into his Italian heritage with his film, Passione. Rooted in his family’s Sicilian and Puglian origins and influenced by his Neapolitan cousin, Aida, Turturro’s fascination with Naples culminates in a cinematic exploration of the city’s vibrant music scene. For Turturro, whose own New York upbringing echoes the raw energy of 1970s Naples, the city is a captivating paradox – “beautiful and so dangerous,” imbued with both “brutality, but also a sense of poetry.” This duality, recognized by countless writers drawn to Naples, is what Passione seeks to capture, focusing particularly on the Neapolitan people’s inherent musicality.
Naples, a city where language and music intertwine, holds a unique place in Italian culture. The Neapolitan dialect itself is a testament to the city’s distinct identity, but it is music that truly defines its soul. Turturro emphasizes the profound connection between classical and popular music in Naples, noting how renowned classical musicians and opera singers have long embraced and performed beloved Neapolitan songs. This rich musical tapestry became the driving force behind Passione, Turturro’s film dedicated to exploring Naples and its compelling soundtrack. While acknowledging the city’s darker underbelly, familiar to audiences through crime dramas like Gomorrah, Turturro insists that music is an equally vital, if not more essential, part of Neapolitan life. For Neapolitans, music isn’t merely entertainment; it’s fundamental. “Besides basic things such as shelter and food and family, music is what matters,” Turturro explains. This intrinsic connection is palpable in the streets of Naples, where spontaneous public singing and dancing are commonplace, regardless of skill or social barriers.
Turturro’s personal introduction to Naples wasn’t through family visits, but through the lens of cinema. His work with the legendary Francesco Rosi on the adaptation of Primo Levi’s The Truce served as his initial immersion into Neapolitan culture. Through Rosi, he discovered the works of dramatist Eduardo de Filippo, leading Turturro to act in de Filippo’s play Questi Fantasmi (Three Ghosts). This theatrical experience, rich with Neapolitan music, took him and the production to Naples itself, a pivotal moment in his growing appreciation for the city. He describes Naples as “a complicated culture,” a complexity deeply embedded within its music. Neapolitan music, as Turturro observes, is a spectrum of emotions – “moving and emotional, really sexy and funny,” yet infused with a distinctive “tremendous amount of irony.” He cites the famous song Dove Sta Zaza as an example, where the seemingly romantic lyrics reveal a layer of comedic irony that often gets lost in translation when performed outside of its Neapolitan context.
Initially conceived as a straightforward documentary about Naples, Turturro’s Passione organically evolved into a “musical adventure.” This transformation was partly inspired by Norman Lewis’s evocative travelogue, Naples ’44, which chronicles Lewis’s experiences in the city during World War II. Turturro expresses interest in adapting Naples ’44 into a film, acknowledging the challenges of capturing its episodic nature and delicate narrative touch on screen, not to mention the significant budget required. However, this literary influence underscores Turturro’s desire to portray Naples with depth and nuance, moving beyond simplistic portrayals.
One aspect of Neapolitan life that eluded filming in Passione, but deeply impressed Turturro, was the biannual miracle of liquefaction at the Naples Cathedral. During his time in Naples, Turturro witnessed this event – the presentation of a vial containing the dried blood of Saint Januarius. Local legend dictates that if the blood fails to liquefy, disaster will befall the city. While remaining agnostic on the authenticity of the miracle, Turturro admits its profound impact, highlighting the blend of faith, tradition, and dramatic flair inherent in Neapolitan culture.
Ultimately, with Passione, John Turturro aimed to create a film akin to the spirit of Buena Vista Social Club, emphasizing the emotional power of music. As he states in the film, “music is emotional transportation – it’s food for the soul.” In a film industry increasingly dominated by high-budget spectacles, Passione stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of human stories and the universal language of music. Turturro, having navigated the world of big-budget filmmaking himself, including his involvement in the Transformers franchise, recognizes the current difficulties in producing medium-sized films. He points to the struggles even established directors like Spike Lee face in securing funding. Passione, therefore, represents an alternative approach – a passion project born from a deep personal connection, offering a soulful and authentic cinematic experience in a challenging industry landscape. Passione, a film by John Turturro, offers viewers a unique and enriching journey into the heart of Naples, guided by the city’s captivating music.
