Sicilian Cinema Rejects Film on Mafia Boss Matteo Messina Denaro

In Castelvetrano, Sicily, the owner of the local cinema, Salvatore Vaccarino, has declined to screen a film titled Sicilian Letters, which is based on the life of the infamous mafia boss Matteo Messina Denaro. Denaro, who passed away from cancer in September 2022, was arrested after evading capture for 30 years. The film, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival, is set to be released in Italian cinemas on October 10. Vaccarino expressed disinterest in the film, stating it 'doesn’t concern me.' The refusal to show the film may be influenced by Vaccarino's familial ties to Denaro, as his late father, Antonio Vaccarino, was a former mayor convicted of drug trafficking and had communicated with Denaro on behalf of Italian secret services. This connection raises questions about the local sentiment towards Denaro, as some residents may hold sympathies for him, complicating the community's response to the film's negative portrayal of the mafia leader. Giovanni Lentini, the mayor of Castelvetrano, has expressed his intention to persuade Vaccarino to reconsider his decision, emphasizing the importance of allowing citizens to view the film. The film's narrative, which includes references to Denaro's life and the impact of his criminal activities, may not resonate positively with all locals, given the historical context of mafia influence in the region. The situation highlights the ongoing struggle between the legacy of organized crime and the efforts to confront it through media representation, as well as the complexities of local identity in a town marked by its notorious past.