Mixed by Erry
In this appealing family comedy, three Italian brothers create a lucrative business out of pirating mixtapes.
This story of a young rogue entrepreneur, one Enrico (Erry) Frattassio, appears to be like a fairy story, but apparently it is all true. Erry always seemed to be on the outside getting nowhere, but is obsessed by turning out cassettes of pop music specially mixed for his local market in Naples. He’s not making any money out of it, so he has to have a cleaning job at his local record store. Now that bootlegged cigarettes are no longer available, the family tries to survive on their father’s own bogus brand of Bourbon whisky. Then in 1985 Erry starts making money out of his illegal pirate tapes, selling them all over Italy and eventually abroad, too.
Erry and his brothers Claudio, Peppe and Angelo become rich beyond their dreams, coining the equivalent of four million pounds in current money. Erry becomes a superstar and, whereas some bands acknowledge that their music is being pirated, they also realise that it is all good publicity for them. Starting out with virtually no equipment, Erry builds up his fortune and the whole enterprise becomes a global phenomenon. He becomes so successful that others start muscling in and even start to pirate Erry’s work under his name. And of course their success attracts others on the wrong side of the law who want to muscle in and be part of their money-making activities. Later on matters come to a head...
Sydney Sibilia’s film presents Erry and his brothers as just enterprising youngsters having a good time and doing something to put food on their poor family’s table. The writer-director elicits delightful performances from his young cast, with an outstanding performance from Luigi D’Oriano as the rather doleful Erry whose newfound success drags him out of the doldrums. He is more than adequately supported by Giuseppe Arena and Emanuele Palumbo as his brothers Peppe and Angelo. They are a trio made in movie heaven.
All in all, this is a delightfully refreshing, warm and witty comedy-drama based on real people in a true-life situation that shines a light on an odd aspect of the music business. Now, That's What I Call A Movie...
MICHAEL DARVELL
Cast: Luigi D’Oriano, Giuseppe Arena, Emanuele Palumbo, Francesco Di Leva, Cristiana Dell’Anna, Adriano Pantaleo.
Dir Sydney Sibilia, Pro Matteo Rovere, Screenplay Sydney Sibilia and Armando Festa, Ph Valerio Azzali, Pro Des Tonino Zera, Ed Gianni Vezzosi, Music Michele Braga, Costumes Viviana Petillo, Special Effects Fabio Traversari.
Groenlandia/Rai Cinema/Netflix-Netflix.
111 mins. Italy. 2023. UK and US Rel: 31 May 2023. Cert 15.