Italian Director Marco Bellocchio Explores Real-Life Scandals in New TV Show and Biopics

Bellocchio's latest projects include the HBO Max series "Portobello" about a TV host's wrongful arrest, and a biopic on Fiat-Chrysler savior Sergio Marchionne.

Mar. 3, 2026 at 8:23am

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Acclaimed Italian director Marco Bellocchio is tackling real-life scandals and tragedies in his latest projects, including the HBO Max series "Portobello" about the wrongful arrest of popular TV presenter Enzo Tortora, and a biopic on Italian-Canadian auto executive Sergio Marchionne who helped revive Fiat and merge it with Chrysler. Bellocchio is known for his films inspired by dark chapters in Italian history, and "Portobello" revisits Tortora's four-year judicial nightmare after being falsely accused of Mafia ties. The director is also working on a biopic about Marchionne, tentatively titled "Falcon", which will explore the executive's successful efforts to defend Fiat and take over the bankrupt Chrysler.

Why it matters

Bellocchio's focus on real-life scandals and tragedies reflects his longstanding interest in exploring pivotal moments in recent Italian history through his films and TV shows. "Portobello" sheds light on a high-profile case that marked a shift in Italy's political landscape in the 1980s, while the Marchionne biopic will delve into the executive's pivotal role in reviving the fortunes of Italy's automotive industry.

The details

"Portobello" revisits the case of popular TV presenter Enzo Tortora, who was arrested in 1983 on false accusations of Mafia ties and drug trafficking. The six-part HBO Max series, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival, stars Fabrizio Gifuni as Tortora and chronicles his four-year legal battle to prove his innocence. Meanwhile, Bellocchio is also working on a biopic about Sergio Marchionne, the Italian-Canadian auto executive credited with reviving Fiat and engineering its merger with the then-bankrupt Chrysler in the 2000s. Tentatively titled "Falcon", the film will explore Marchionne's successful efforts to defend Fiat against American business interests.

  • Portobello premiered the first two episodes at the Venice Film Festival in September 2025.
  • Portobello launched on HBO Max on February 20, 2026, with new episodes airing every Friday.
  • Bellocchio's first feature film Fist in the Pocket was released 60 years ago in 2026.

The players

Marco Bellocchio

An acclaimed Italian director known for films inspired by real-life scandals and tragedies in Italian history.

Enzo Tortora

A popular Italian TV presenter who was wrongfully arrested in 1983 on charges of Mafia ties and drug trafficking, sparking a high-profile legal battle.

Sergio Marchionne

An Italian-Canadian auto executive credited with reviving Fiat and engineering its merger with the bankrupt Chrysler in the 2000s.

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What they’re saying

“There's never a particular reason. In this case, it was born out of reading a book of letters he wrote to his partner.”

— Marco Bellocchio, Director

“This incredible story won't have a happy ending. In the end, his complete innocence will be recognized, but he is completely ruined inside and dies… a year after his acquittal.”

— Marco Bellocchio, Director

What’s next

Bellocchio is still working on the first version of the Sergio Marchionne biopic, tentatively titled "Falcon", and says it will take some time to complete as he needs to find an Italian actor who can speak English fluently to portray the bilingual executive.

The takeaway

Bellocchio's focus on real-life scandals and tragedies in his latest projects reflects his longstanding interest in exploring pivotal moments in recent Italian history through his films and TV shows, shedding light on high-profile cases that shaped the country's political and social landscape.