Mario Merola returns to dominate the scene, this time through the intense and profound story of someone who truly knew him. Thursday, July 17, in prime time on Rai5, the show will air: The King of Naples: History and Legend by Mario Merola, the documentary directed by Massimo Ferrari and written with Luciano Stella, which traces the rise of a man who became the voice and face of popular Naples, its music, and its people. Produced by Big Sur with Rai Documentari and Mad Entertainment, the documentary is loosely based on the autobiography. Naples one way… My long journey, written by Merola himself with Geo Nocchetti.
Using archive images and previously unseen footage, Ferrari constructs a candid and passionate portrait, spanning the city's iconic locations—from the port to the Case Nuove, from Piazza Mercato to the kitchen of the Portici house—where family memories and traditions are still handed down today.
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Mario Merola was much more than an actor or a singer. He was the mouthpiece of an identity, the Neapolitan one, which he portrayed with authenticity and passion, becoming a symbol of redemption and pride throughout the world, from the United States to Australia. The documentary is not just a tribute, but an emotional journey that conveys the greatness of a man capable of representing the suffering, dignity, and strength of the people to whom he belonged. Because, as Merola recalls, Ferrari, “to tell the story of Merola, you must first understand Naples”.
Comments (1)
It's a good documentary, but I don't know if it accurately represents Mario Merola's life. He certainly did a lot for Neapolitan music, but some things seem exaggerated and not entirely true, but that's an interpretation.