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Home , Bernardo Provenzano, Black Hand (extortion), Luciano Leggio, Omerta, Sicilian Mafia, The Sicilian

AB INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION PRESENTS

A 2X52’ documentary by ANNE VERON THE AMERICAN & SICILIAN : TWO FACTIONS THAT HAVE GIVEN CRIME A LEGENDARY STATUS

A 2X52’ documentary by ANNE VERON SYNOPSIS NOTE OF INTENTION

It has inspired the biggest directors. Be it the images of corpses strewn on This documentary in two episodes will One only needs to look at the photographs Plenty writers have helped immortalise the streets of New York or , of recount the history of the Cosa Nostra of when appearing at his it. The Cosa Nostra is the aristocracy of a disembowelled highway, blown up from its beginning in in the ‘50s until trial at the tribunal of Palermo in 1974: he organised crime. With its codes, its ho- by half a ton of explosives to get rid of these days. seems to have been set upon resembling nour-system, the omerta, the vendettas… a magistrate having become a thorn in Marlon Brando as with his The Cosa Nostra also encompasses all of the eye…The everyday drama of This story is told through testimonials of cigar, his heavy jaw and his arrogant de- the superlatives: the most mythical, ele- violence, the blood of the victims and repented mobsters, historians, magis- meanour of the movie was gant, violent, secret, the most popular… the tears of those who survived have trates, and journalists. We will depict their an image of how the mobsters liked to see the most fascinating. It’s the organisation forever left its print on the 20th . stories with Italian and American stock themselves: full of wisdom, and above all that will serve as a role-model for crimi- However, behind this mythical designa- nal organisations all around the world. But tion, two Cosa Nostras exist: the Ameri- footage, but also with movies caring for their family. But beneath this re- what really resides behind this mythical can and Cosa Nostra. ranging from the ‘50s till actual releases. semblance to Don Corleone, Leggio was designation? Because if the Cosa Nostra has received especially known to instill instability and Both of their histories begin in Sicily. A tu- its criminal badge of honour, it is partially terror. Fellow mobsters described him as In the entire world, one word resounds multuous yet passionate and exciting sto- due to the numerous movies inspired by such: “The slightest thing could make him as a curse, the Mafi a. From a local phe- ry. Like siblings, they have loved, helped it. The Cosa Nostra makes an appearance furious. An odd glow then ran across his nomenon rooted in local popular culture and infl uenced one another. But they have in more than 200 fi lms, in large American eyes that would turn everybody around to a world-spanning economical power, also been jealous and even hated one and Italian. him into silence. You could then feel death its power has been so important as to another. eff ectively threaten the democratic sys- hanging in the air.” tems in place. It has imprinted itself In this 2x52’ series, we are going to re- When imagining the character of Vito Cor- on the minds of everybody through its trace the incredible links between these leone for ‘The Godfather’, Mario Puzzo This documentary tells the true story violence. two factions that have given crime a le- actually had in mind a true godfather of of the Sicilian Cosa Nostra and its rela- gendary status. the Mafi a: . This trilogy has tionship with its little sister, the American forever changed the perception we have Cosa Nostra. The movies and fi ctions are of mobsters. They are in fact men of ho- not merely describing it but take a part in nour. To the extent that the real mobsters this Mafi a that has both inspired and been will end up idolising Marlon Brando and inspired by the pictures. Al Pacino…

4 5 THE NARRATIVE

1. Origins The United States… In a ten-minute introduction, we are going to explain the birth of this criminal organi- In the United States, the origins of this This representation by Coppola is funda- sation in the 19th century in Sicily, before criminal organisation dates back to the mental: it will long serve as a model for following its expansion in the United beginning of the 20th century. At this time, pictures retracing the New York neighbou- States, from Ellis Island to Little . This nearly two million (almost a quar- rhood Little Italy, chief haven of these will be narrated through the use of pictures ter of the island’s population), driven by Sicilian immigrants. The neighbourhood from the time, beautiful shots of today’s poverty, migrate to the USA. seems like a closed community with its Sicily and New York, as well as excerpts immigrants speaking their own dialects, from movies depicting this time period. These will be met by disdain and keep their traditional clothing and cooking suff er racism for decades. style, trying to recreate what they left on Sicily… In 1999, a TV-fi lm called Vendetta will the other side of the Atlantic Ocean. depict xenophobia, opening on the images At fi rst, the Cosa Nostra was called the of Italian immigrants being called “basard In the same fashion, they will also recreate “mafi a”. At the birth of the Italian state in greaseballs”. An American explains: the networks of protection from their 1861, Sicily fi nds itself with a heavier tax “these Italians come with everything that is country of origin. Called ”Mano Nera” burden than under the former government. bad. They’re dirty, cowards, have no pride, ( in English), the organisation This goes to explain the defi ance of cen- honour, religion or loyalty. They possess rackets the Italian shops, and acquire tral government and creates the perfect none of the qualities necessary to make control on the fruits and olive-oil trade. growing fi eld for an organised crime syn- a good citizen”. The Godfather 2 also Particularly active in New York, Chicago dicate to see the light of day. Rather than depicts this diffi cult greeting subjected to and New Orleans, the Mano Nera is far referring to the birthing state, the local the immigrants on Ellis Island in 1901. It more criminal than its older sibling. Indeed, population will turn to a “parallel system is one of the rare cinematographic depic- they quickly diversify into more lucrative of authority”. In 1863, the baron Colona is tions of this place of paramount impor- businesses such as liquor trafficking, attacked by a group of fi ve men who try to tance in the history of US immigration. and prostitution. In spite of this, the kill him. Colona will, in a book published old code of honour is still in eff ect. But the one year later, reveal the existence of “a Prohibition will change the mindset of the cult that robbed and ransomed the Sici- organisation. With business being settled lians”. It is indeed the fi rst witness account in blood by rival , the code of honour of the existence of the Mafi a. of old leaves way for power struggles. The Mano Nera becomes the Cosa Nostra...

6 7 2. The American disembarkment in 3. The end of the Second World War Sicily At the end of the Second World War, the During the second World War, the United Furthermore, Luciano enables a logistical Sicilian Mafi a is nothing but a shade of its States becomes more and more preoc- support to the Americans, crucial to the former strength. Weakened by Mussolini’s cupied with the important number of disembarkment. Thirty-eight days after government, most of its members are in Japanese, Italian and German citizens in the invasion, the Allies manage to take prison or on the run. Their American cou- its midst. They fear that some of them may over Sicily, untill then under Axis control. sins look at them with some form of dis- support the Axis and could cause a threat Some Sicilians even choose to fi ght along- dain, nicknaming them “” due to their to national security. side the American forces. Therefore, in the very fast-paced speaking. eyes of many historians, Luciano had a key In 1942, the dockers especially located in role in the success of “operation Husky”. In Italy, the term “Cosa Nostra” appears the eastern parts of the country are put after the war. It was then entitled “Our under suspicion after the USS Lafayette When the Second World War ended, Lucky Cause” because the organisation was had caught fi re and capsized in the har- Luciano begs the governor of the state of closed to all but Italians. bour of New York. In the eyes of the Ame- New York for pardon, putting forward his rican government, this is most probably an contributions in the war eff ort. Thomas act of sabotage. It begins an enquiry into Dewey accepts his plea and grants him his the doings of the numerous Italian-Ame- wish of liberation, with the condition that rican dockers living in the region, but the he leaves the United States for good. On enquiry turns to failure. The government February 9th 1946, Salvatore C. Lucania then turns to an unseemly ally: the Mafi a. sets for Italy, where he will live untill the end of his days. The Navy looks for the aid of Salvatore C. Lucania, famous Italian mob boss, bet- ter known as . At the time, Luciano is serving a 30-year sentence for pimping. He accepts to cooperate in exchange of a reduction of his sentence.

At the peak of the war, the allied forces are starting to plot out their plans to invade Italy. To facilitate this operation, the soon- to-be winners again turn to their odd asso- ciates: Lucky Luciano and the Mafi a.

The mob doesn’t exactly hold Benito Mus- solini dearly. As a matter of fact, since he had come to power, the dictator fi ghts organised crime vigorously, and reduces their operations to a clandestine frame of activity. `

8 9 4. The big alliance: the Pizza connection

In October 1957, Giuseppe Bonanno, a.k.a. Joe Bananas, described by the Sici- lian Buscetta as an “elegant, distinguished and exceptionally smart fellow”, arrives in Italy with all pomp and circumstance. If he describes his Sicilian escapade as vacations at first, historians will not soon after understand the true purpose of his coming.

In fact, the control of the Cuban coastline is about to slip through his fingers. The power of the dictator Batista is crumbling in face of ’s guerrilla, and the Cosa Nostra, victims of the heightened suspicion of the American law enforce- ment, are in need of a new base of opera- tions. For four full days in the prestigious Grand Hotel of Palmyra, Joe Bananas meets with the Sicilian jet set.

Historians know that it is after Joe Bananas’ visit that the families of Palermo align their organisations with those of New York. Regrouped in a true mob directory, the different bosses meet and establish their rule. The takes shape at this moment and firmly puts down its name: the Cosa Nostra. It’s the beginning of the Pizza Connection, name given to a huge trade that soon enough will create the wealth of the Cosa Nostra.

Access to the North American heroin mar- ket doesn’t take long to spark rivalries, and the “zips”, formerly mocked, show them- selves to be less obedient than expected: in the 70s, the Sicilians take control over the trade.

10 11 6. The getaway…

5. The rebellion (the Italians take over) As is often the case with American fi lms Toto Riina also had great hatred towards about the mob, The Godfather was poorly the big boss Salvatore. He managed to kill The Sicilians don’t limit themselves to received in Italy: “A riff -raff of all the clichés him as well as his sons. The other members import and process heroin. Through coo- regarding Italian-American ” was of successfully sought refuge peration with their American peers, they the common critique. This comes down to with their cousins in the United States. seek to control their own distribution a particular Italian resentment to how Hol- But even on the other side of the ocean, network. This is how hundreds of Italian lywood has taken ownership of the Mafi a. this family will not know peace. Toto Riina restaurants see their opening in the Ameri- The Sicilian part of the fi lm was deemed to sends hitmen to fi nish the job. The Ame- can 70s. At the end of the decade, 9 out of be an “off ensive stupidity” … perhaps not rican cousins, afraid that this bloody war 10 Sicilians illegally living in the USA work completely unwarranted. will spill on to the streets of New York, in such establishments. These pizzerias decide to go to Sicily to negotiate a truce. eff ectively constitute the centres of dis- At the end of the 70s, Toto Riina, the actual They succeeded in saving the lives of the tribution of heroin for the Mafi a. Thanks godfather of Corleone’s Mafi a, wishes to last Inzerillos, as long as these never set to this traffi c upon which the Cosa Nos- become the head of the entire Sicilian foot in Sicily ever again... tra almost has a complete monopoly, the Mafi a. He wants to get his hands on the organisation becomes richer and more spoils of war of the drug trade, of which powerful than ever before. the Corleones had so far been deprived of. The Pizza connection also implies a new Paranoid, ultra-violent and uncontrollable, power balance between the two parts he is nonetheless bestown with a form of Cosa Nostra. The Sicilians are no longer practical intelligence and a cunning ins- a simple, cheap workforce for the Ameri- tinct. He has the immense benefi t, at least can godfathers. Numerous, well organised in his environment, not to have any feelings and having access to an almost unlimited for anyone. And thus he thwarts the entire supply of heroin, the Sicilians now enjoy Palermian mob, instigating a bloody war a whole new level of self determination called “the Mattanza” (“the Massacre” in in the US. It’s at this time that Brooklyn English). He eliminates all his rivals with a becomes a Sicilian colony, and the main brutality never seen before, killing a dozen terminal for heroin. people a day, about a hundred in total. Amongst them, 26 members of the But the Sicilians were ambitious, and Contorno clan. Devastated, the survi- strived to climb the ranks of the Ameri- vors of the Contorno family and some can power syndicate... The fl ow of drugs other “men of honour” are about to do running continuously between the United the unthinkable. In 1984, they break away States and Sicily, the drug money starts from the code of the Omerta, and start making its way into the heart of the fi nan- talking to the Justice. They are the fi rst cial sector, creating tensions within the “repentants” of history. Sicilian organisation.

12 13 7. Disturbing hosts 8. The return

With these hundreds of escapees and Though a lot of this folklore around his repenters now living in the USA, the Ame- “persona” would eventually be the root of For more than 20 years, the pact forbid- During a comprehensive operation entit- rican Cosa Nostra fears for its stability. his downfall, it also contributed to create ding the return of “fugitives” will stand. led “Old Bridge”, 90 warrants of arrest are The Italian-American mob has made an his legend: the one of the last godfather of After Toto Riina’s arrest in 1993, it’s his issued in Sicily and New York against the assault on the institutions and is deter- the Cosa Nostra, nowadays a pop-culture right hand, , that will fugitives of the 70s and the 80s. mined to keep their place. Therefore, a icon. take his place. However, the fear of repri- new rule is installed within the Mafi a: to be sals and a return to a state of war of these Amongst the people called in, some old a boss, one must imperatively be of Italian In this new generation of the mob, only one fugitives will delay their return. acquaintances from law enforcement descent, though not necessarily be born option stands in front of refusal to coope- It will not be before the early 2000s that stand out. Now 82 years old, Filippo in Italy. rate: violence. Intimidations, assault, car- the fi rst fugitives will return to their home Casamento is arrested in his house on and house-bombings, but also torture and country. But since the fl ight of the criminal Staten Island: he had been living illegally In New-York, , member of the . The FBI has estimated that 600 fugitives or repentants, an important event in New York since 1982. Beyond these old most powerful family in New York, has hits have been commanded under Gotti’s has taken place: the big trial of the Mafi a in acquaintances, the prosecutors are able arranged the assassination of the big reign. Palermo. No less than 475 mob persona- to put their grab on the new generations boss, Paul Castellano, and thus takes lities have to stand trial. The fugitives are of the big Italian-American mob dynasties. control. This is the fi rst time that a boss not spared. In the light of these events, takes the power through violence. they return to the United States, and pass Amongst these, Frank “Boy” Cali, 43 on the message that the hour has not yet years old, man of honour of the New York Ensues ceremonies worthy of Francis come to go back home. Gambino-clan. He was the one who had Ford Coppola’s The Godfather, fi reworks recently been put in charge of the Ameri- arranged for the 4th of July in his own The big return is to see the light of day in can Cosa Nostra businesses. The Sicilian neighbourhood of Ozone Park in Queens, 2006. The big boss Bernardo Provenzano mob tried – in part through the aid from appearing on the cover of magazines... is arrested in a farm near Corleone, thus New York – to get a foothold in the drugs John Gotti had a taste for showmanship, allowing the fugitives to fi nally go back trade that after all was far more profi table so much for sobriety and discretion. An to their home country. Beyond that, the than . avid fan of The Prince by Macchiavelli and Sicilian drug traffi c is nothing but a shade the tale of Robin Hood, John Gotti likes of its former glory. Without the internatio- The Sicilian writer, Andrea Camilleri, to show himself plentiful and generous nal drug trade, the Mafi a is considerably joyfully says: “It’s the beginning of the in public. High-class parties, restaurants, weakened. The American mobsters howe- end”. The FBI on the other side is not so clubs, TV appearances, tabloids... Drunk ver continue to make a fortune. certain. The Cosa Nostra is still well alive with power, John Gotti turns into a public in New York. fi gure of the New Yorkan jet-set, even pos- February 9th, 2008: operation “Old Bridge” ting for the front page of Time Magazine in 1986!

14 15 CONTACT Arianna CASTOLDI Tél. : +33 1 49 17 23 85 [email protected]