LIDF

The foyer was buzzing in anticipation for the sold-out opening film of the festival. Queues of people jostled to pick up their tickets and the showing was put back by 15 minutes in order to get everyone through the door and seated in time. One man begged the box office, fruitlessly, for any returns.

I sat near the back of the cinema, surrounded by Italian voices whispering to one another.

I recognised one particularly husky, resonant baritone from amongst the hustle and bustle of the opening reception earlier on in the night, where the slick hair, silk shirts and black jackets made it feel ever so slightly like being among the cast of The Sopranos. I had chuckled to myself, wondering in what way they were connected to tonight’s screening.

Speeches by the director of the Barbican and then by LIDF director Patrick Hazard were warmly received and everyone was in high spirits, the murmurs gradually dying off as the lights went down.

I found Napoli to be a beautifully executed docudrama, at times shockingly explicit, at others deeply poignant and tender. It is a patchwork portrayal of the shady underside of this intriguing city.

The Q and A with director Abel Ferrara, one of Mark Kermode’s favourites, as well as two of the film’s actors, the producer (who turned out to be my husky voiced stranger!), and a well known author on life in Naples, was rather riotous.

Charismatic and vocal, Abel joked with the audience and his interviewer- ‘Well,’ he smiled, ‘Did you like the film? That’s jail man!’ he laughed loudly.

When the interviewer threw open the questioning to the auditorium, one man – a Naples born Italian – stood up to address his concerns about what he saw as a negative portrayal of his birthplace. Things quickly became heated with members of the audience jumping to take sides. It was a thrilling debate to be present at, and threw new light on this controversial and thought-provoking film.