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Marco Bellocchio's 'Portobello' miniseries explores TV power on HBO Max Italy

digital · 2026-04-16

Marco Bellocchio's miniseries 'Portobello' premiered on HBO Max Italy, using television to critique television's power. The story begins in summer 1977, focusing on Giovanni Pandico, a scribe for gangster Raffaele Cutolo, who becomes obsessed with a TV set in prison. The show on air is Enzo Tortora's new program, marking his return to public broadcasting after nine years of exile, triggered by a statement to the magazine 'Oggi'.

Key facts

  • Miniseries 'Portobello' created and directed by Marco Bellocchio
  • Accompanied the launch of HBO Max streaming platform in Italy
  • Narrative begins in summer 1977
  • Giovanni Pandico is a faithful scribe of Raffaele Cutolo
  • Pandico is in prison and obsessed with a television set
  • Enzo Tortora returns to public broadcasting after nine years
  • Tortora's exile was triggered by a statement to 'Oggi' magazine
  • The show airs on the second channel (Rai 2)

Entities

Artists

  • Marco Bellocchio
  • Enzo Tortora

Institutions

  • HBO Max
  • Rai 2
  • Oggi
  • HBO

Locations

  • Italy
  • Piacentino
  • Rome
  • Irpinia
  • Switzerland

Sources