Marco Bellocchio’s Sicilian Mafia film The Traitor is never a simple hook. As many characters, many plots, and many trials are scattered in its terrain, I found myself in a hazy loop for two days after watching it. I cannot invite you to The Traitor to experience the quintessential mafia world of guns up and down. For a change, bloody war is side-lined. The central plot is unique and feels like a semi docu-drama about a real Maxi Trial (Maxiprocesso) against the Sicilian Mafia, considered the largest trial in world history.
The informant is Tommaso Buscetta, a mafia boss belonging to Cosa Nostra operating in Scilly. When his opponent Salvatore Riina took over his regions of the narcotics trade and turned into a ruthless killer, Buscetta who believed in the ethics of ‘men of honour’ fled Italy. He enjoys a peaceful life in Rio de Janeiro with his family, keeping his heroin business low. Buscetta breaks down when his two sons left in Italy disappear one day. Police break into in house soon and arrest him. The famous scene in The Traitor happens now. In facing choppers, Buscetta and his third wife see each other. Cops dangle her over the sea, but Buscetta remains firm without a word. The long trials of The Traitor begin when Buscetta is extradited to Italy and becomes an informant (Pentiti) to the state. Though it is shot very casually, I was drawn to the conversations between the anti-mafia judge Giovanni Falcone and Buscetta. Both men understand each other’s position and the bond turns endearing and rewarding leading to massive mafioso arrests.
The Maxi Trial in a bunker-style court in The Traitor is a refreshing take. The arrested narcos stand behind bars and the informants sit behind bulletproof glass facing the judge. Off attorneys, families and members of Cosa Nostra fill the court hall. They widly disrupt the court during trials. Giovanni Falcone’s brutal end was disturbing while the underworld men were spitting at the TV screens and raising a toast.
I am a fan of Pierfrancesco Favino and the man subdues everybody else in The Traitor. Too sticky as real Buscetta.