German production company Beta Film and French firm Mediawan Rights have formed a partnership to manage international sales for the upcoming TV series “Portobello,” directed by renowned Italian filmmaker Marco Bellocchio. The six-episode series explores a significant miscarriage of justice in Italy and is set to premiere on Monday at the Venice Film Festival.
“Portobello” marks a milestone as it will be the first HBO Original Italian production to debut on the HBO Max streaming platform, scheduled for release in 2026. The series will be accessible globally on HBO Max, reaching audiences in the U.S., Latin America, and Europe, with the exception of France and Germany.
A Compelling Narrative of Injustice
The series recounts the true story of Enzo Tortora, a popular Italian television host known for his primetime game show “Portobello,” which aired on the Italian state broadcaster RAI from 1977 for seven seasons. In 1985, Tortora was wrongfully accused by several alleged former mobsters who turned state witnesses, claiming he was involved in a Neapolitan crime syndicate linked to drug trafficking.
Despite being sentenced to ten years in prison and enduring a lengthy trial, Tortora’s conviction was eventually overturned by Italy’s Supreme Court in 1987. This decision came amid widespread public belief that he had been the victim of judicial corruption.
Star-Studded Cast and Creative Team
The cast of “Portobello” features frequent Bellocchio collaborator Fabrizio Gifuni in the lead role of Tortora. Joining him are Lino Musella, Romana Maggiora Vergano, Barbora Bobulova, Alessandro Preziosi, and Fausto Russo Alesi. Gifuni previously portrayed Aldo Moro, a former Italian Prime Minister, in Bellocchio’s earlier series “Exterior Night,” which focused on the 1978 kidnapping and assassination of Moro by the Red Brigades.
“Portobello” is produced by Bellocchio’s Kavac Film in collaboration with Mediawan-owned Our Films. The series is also a co-production with Arte France and Fremantle’s The Apartment Pictures. The writing team includes Bellocchio, Stefano Bises (“Gomorrah”), Giordana Mari (“My Love”), and Peppe Fiore (“The King”).
Following its premiere at the Venice Film Festival, “Portobello” is also scheduled to be screened at the Toronto and Busan Film Festivals.
Oliver Bachert, Chief Distribution Officer at Beta Film, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, “We are very proud to join such a strong project together with Mediawan on the distribution side as well as Our Films and Kavac Film on the production side. Certainly, ‘Portobello’ will follow the success of Beta’s highlight series, such as ‘Gomorrah,’ ‘Rocco Schiavone,’ and ‘The Sea Beyond.’”
Valérie Vleeschouwer, CEO of Mediawan Rights, highlighted the significance of Bellocchio’s work, saying, “We are proud to support a talent such as Marco Bellocchio, one of the most influential and acclaimed Italian filmmakers. It’s a real pleasure to partner with Beta Film on the international distribution of this prestigious program. And it reflects our ongoing commitment to supporting the world’s best talents and intellectual properties.”
