Documentary 'Ferrante Fever' explores the mysterious success of Elena Ferrante

A documentary titled 'Ferrante Fever,' directed by Giacomo Durzi, investigates the extraordinary global success of the mysterious Italian writer Elena Ferrante, known for her Neapolitan Novels series starting with 'My Brilliant Friend.' The film traces Ferrante's journey from the alleys of Naples to America, featuring interviews with notable figures such as author Michael Reynolds, bookseller Sarah McNally, writer Roberto Saviano, novelist Nicola Lagioia, author Elizabeth Strout, writer Jonathan Franzen, and filmmaker Mario Martone. Distributed by QMI Stardust, the documentary attempts to give visual representation to Ferrante's literary work by analyzing her intimate writing style with the help of writers, literary critics, directors who have adapted her works, booksellers, and publishers. In his director's notes, Durzi states that making literature the protagonist of a documentary was a challenging endeavor, transforming written words into bodies, faces, and images to explore the search for this mysterious writer. The film premiered in 2017 and is promoted via the website ferrantefever.it.