Trudie Styler on Making Doc ‘An Ode to Naples,’ Getting Sting to Make a Cameo and Defying the City’s Stereotypes: ‘Immerse Yourself and Do Not Feel Afraid’

variety.com:

Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent Trudie Styler‘s documentary “Posso Entrare? An Ode to Naples,” which recently premiered on Hulu, is a film that observes the unique southern Italian port city — the backdrop for the hit “Gomorrah” gangster series — with fresh eyes.

The filmmaker’s high-profile doc delves into the belly of Naples, which is known for its resilience, crime and creative energy, partly by knocking on people’s doors. “Posso entrare?” translates as: “Can I come in?” Styler’s “Ode” features author Roberto Saviano, whose Neapolitan mob exposé provided the basis for the “Gomorrah” series; Alessandra Clemente, a Naples municipal councillor whose mother was murdered in a gangland shootout; the women involved in Forti Guerriere, an organization against domestic violence and femicide; and a musical performance by Sting, who happens to be Styler’s husband.

The doc is produced by Big Sur, Mad Entertainment and RAI Cinema in co-production with Luce Cinecittà. Below, Styler speaks to Variety about getting a grasp on the complex city, which Naples native Sophia Loren once said is “a culture onto itself.” What was your first reaction when you were asked to make this doc? The question that immediately arose was, “Do you know Naples?” The answer was, “No.

I don’t, actually.” So I started to ask myself the question: “Well, why not? Why would you always just go through it and not really immerse yourself into the city?” Then I started asking my friends and colleagues, “Have you ever been to Naples?” “No.