It’s going to be a bioscopy on Eduardo Scarpetta, the new movie of Mario Martone. Scarpetta was an Italian actor and playwright from Naples, born in 1853. Although not from a theatrical family, he was on the stage by the age of four and is today best remembered as the creator of a character that became his stage alter-ego: Felice Sciosciammocca, a typical, friendly Neapolitan character.

It’s called “Qui rido io” (Here I laugh), the movie on the king of Neapolitan comedians, played by Toni Servillo. Scarpetta, who was the natural father of Titina, Eduardo and Peppino De Filippo, dedicated his whole life to the theater, creating works that have become timeless classics, such as “Miseria e nobiltà”. He obtained extraordinary successes and was the protagonist of the famous dispute with Gabriele D’Annunzio for “Il figlio di Iorio”, a parody of the work of the Vate, which was the subject of a memorable trial. The filming of the film took place mostly at the Teatro Valle, a historic Roman theater where “Miseria e nobiltà” made its debut in 1889. The set will then move to Naples.

The film, written by Mario Martone and Ippolita di Majo, is an an Italian-Spanish co-production of Indigo Film with Rai Cinema for Italy and Tornasol for Spain. The photography is signed by Renato Berta, the editing by Jacopo Quadri, the scenography by Giancarlo Muselli, costume designer is Ursula Patzak. The interpreters of the film, together with Toni Servillo, are other great actors such as Maria Nazionale, Cristiana Dell’Anna, Antonia Truppo, Eduardo Scarpetta, Paolo Pierobon, Lino Musella, Roberto De Francesco, Gianfelice Imparato and Iaia Forte.

Anna coached the three young actors who inpersonated the kids of Scarpetta, Marzia, Alessandro and Salvatore. Read more about the movie here and here.