The Camorra crime families that have their hands around the neck of Naples have been around much longer than the recent movie Gomorrah, based on the book by a crusading writer. Opening the New Italian Cinema Festival, is Fortàpasc, set in 1985 Naples and based on the short life of investigative journalist Giancarlo Siani, who documented the link between mafia and city hall. Here, too, corruption is systemic. Criminals and municipal bureaucrats exist in parallel industries, mirror images of the other. Payoffs are dispensed like bullets, and reporters are equally unwelcome among politicians and crooks. The more questions Siani asks, the fewer friends he has. And, significantly, he never received the police protection that still keeps Gomorrah author Roberto Saviano alive today. Fortàpascwhose title, in Neapolitan dialect, refers to the lawlessness of Fort Apache the Bronxis one of eight titles screened through Saturday. Director Marco Risi is expected to attend opening night. BRIAN MILLER
Nov. 17-21, 7:30 p.m., 2009
