The Octopus

The 1993 Telenorba sit-com written and directed by Gennaro Nunziante. The Show it's a parody, in Apulian dialect sauce, of the Michele Placido starring series "La Piovra" (1984) A bloody feud features two families, the Inpetto and the Sanguellatte. At the origin of it all is a wrong suffered on a Sunday morning many years earlier. Rocco Sanguellatte's mother, intent on preparing the traditional ragout, realized she lacked parsley, essential for seasoning the braciole. She then went to ask for some from across the street, that is, Freddy Inpetto's mother, who, however, apologized, telling her that she had none in the house, dismissing her. Shortly thereafter, Rocco, having met his friend Freddy, noticed something green between his teeth, identifying it precisely as parsley, thus inferring disrespect to his mother and thus beginning the tragedy.

Directed by Gennaro Nunziante, The Octopus leans on a strong ensemble — Emilio Solfrizzi, Emilio Solfrizzi, Antonio Stornaiolo — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The series landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about comedy titles of 1993.