
The Day of the Owl
1968

2008
NRDirector
Matteo Garrone
Runtime
137 minutes
Average Rating
No ratings yetSynopsis
An inside look at Italy's modern-day crime families, the Camorra in Naples and Caserta. Based on a book by Roberto Saviano. Power, money and blood: these are the "values" that the residents of the Province of Naples and Caserta have to face every day. They hardly ever have a choice and are forced to obey the rules of the Camorra. Only a lucky few can even think of leading a normal life.
Overall Score
Limited
Category Breakdown
LGBTQ+ Representation
The film focuses almost exclusively on hyper-masculine criminal structures. There is no discernible presence of LGBTQ+ characters or narratives addressing non-heteronormative identities.
Gender Representation
Women appear primarily within a patriarchal framework, serving as domestic anchors, accomplices, or victims. The film documents how the criminal ecosystem reinforces restrictive, traditional gender roles.
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
The narrative provides an authentic look at specific regional identities in Naples and Caserta. It prioritizes class and geography over racial intersectionality or multicultural casting.
Religious & Cultural Diversity
The film offers a profound deconstruction of the state, law, and religious authority. It portrays these institutions as either impotent or complicit in the face of organized crime.
Disability Representation
There is no significant or intentional focus on visible or invisible disabilities. Characters are defined by socioeconomic status rather than physical or neurodivergent traits.
Strengths
Areas for Improvement
AI Analysis
Gomorrah rejects the romanticized tropes of the crime genre, opting instead for a neo-realist examination of the Camorra's systemic infiltration of society. It succeeds as a cultural critique, dismantling the perceived authority of the state and religion to show how crime fills the void of legitimate economic opportunity. However, the film's narrow focus on hyper-masculine power dynamics results in a lack of representation for LGBTQ+ individuals and people with disabilities. The narrative structure is deeply rooted in traditional, often restrictive, social hierarchies. While the film lacks demographic breadth, its strength lies in its refusal to glorify crime. By framing the Camorra as a corrosive force rather than a glamorous brotherhood, it provides a sophisticated critique of systemic power.

1968

1989

2011

2011

1995

1989

1997

1979

2019

1996

1997

2011
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts on this movie!
Use the rating form above to leave a star rating and optional review.