Mortana prison is a fictional place, inspired by visits to many penitentiaries. The command of this temporary structure is entrusted to Gaetano, the Head Guard, played by Toni Servillo. Antonio La Gioia, a Neapolitan prisoner in his sixties, played by Silvio Orlando, is the charismatic de facto leader of the prisoners, mostly Southern Italians or foreigners.
The film was shot in the former prison of San Sebastiano in Sassari which dates to the 19th century and has been disused since 2000. In 1966, it was the location for Graziano Mesina’s madcap escape, at the time a young bandit specialized in kidnapping, he climbed the prison wall with Miguel Atienza and jumped 7 metres.
Mortana prison is a fictional place, inspired by visits to many penitentiaries. The command of this temporary structure is entrusted to Gaetano, the Head Guard, played by Toni Servillo. Antonio La Gioia, a Neapolitan prisoner in his sixties, played by Silvio Orlando, is the charismatic de facto leader of the prisoners, mostly Southern Italians or foreigners.
The film was shot in the former prison of San Sebastiano in Sassari which dates to the 19th century and has been disused since 2000. In 1966, it was the location for Graziano Mesina’s madcap escape, at the time a young bandit specialized in kidnapping, he climbed the prison wall with Miguel Atienza and jumped 7 metres.
Tempesta, Amka Films Productions, Vision Distribution, Rai Cinema