Elena Ferrante's 'The Lying Life of Adults' Becomes Netflix Series

Netflix Italy has adapted Elena Ferrante's novel 'La vita bugiarda degli adulti' into a television series, directed by Edoardo De Angelis. The series premiered on January 4, 2023. The adaptation was co-written by Ferrante herself, De Angelis, Francesco Piccolo, and Laura Paolucci. The story follows Giovanna, an adolescent girl played by newcomer Giordana Marengo, and her rebellious aunt Vittoria, portrayed by Valeria Golino. Set in Naples in 1994, the series explores themes of lies, disobedience, freedom, and transformation. De Angelis described the adaptation process as an epistolary exchange with the reclusive Ferrante, calling it 'strange but fascinating.' Golino, who prepared for months for her role, noted that De Angelis created a calm atmosphere on set despite filming during the COVID-19 pandemic. The series uses music to evoke the pre-social media era. The narrative contrasts two sides of Naples, reflecting the duality of high and low, beautiful and ugly.