the courage of angela

In 2005, Time elected among the year’s heroes Mrs. Silvana Fucito, a Neapolitan businesswoman who had the courage to rebel against the Camorra, refusing to pay protection money and denouncing her extortionists. The series is directly inspired by the figure of this woman, showcasing her story and her extraordinary example of civic courage.

Angela Latella lives a happy life in Naples with her husband and two children, with whom she runs an important paint shop. One day, the family business attracts the attention of a local boss, who soon becomes more demanding day after day. Angela however refuses, courageously fending off the threats, and even going against her husband’s wishes. In the meantime, Angela demonstrates another kind of courage, one more intimate and private; she decides to give her nephew Salvatore a chance. He is the adolescent son of a cousin, who had an affair with a dangerous boss of the camorra before she was killed. Salvatore runs the risk of following in his father’s footsteps. He has already knifed one of his best friends. Angela accepts him into the family, treats him like a son and, day after day, teaches him the value of an honest day’s work, of sacrifice and the pleasure of being honorable. But Salvatore’s father has other plans for him and starts to seriously harass the Latellas. He replaces the old guard and intensifies the threats and demands for protection money. Angela puts up a fight, refuses to be intimidated and, even if it costs her the family business, which the criminals will put to the torch, succeeds in getting her persecutors arrested and giving Salvatore the chance of living a decent, honest life.