Germany’s Beta Film and France’s Mediawan Rights have joined forces to manage international sales for the highly anticipated TV series “Portobello,” directed by acclaimed Italian filmmaker Marco Bellocchio. The series, which reconstructs a notorious miscarriage of justice in Italy, will premiere on Monday at the Venice Film Festival.
“Portobello” is set to be the first Italian production under the HBO Original banner, scheduled to debut on the HBO Max streaming platform in 2026. It will be available globally, including in the U.S., Latin America, and Europe, although it will not be accessible in France and Germany.
The six-episode limited series explores the true story of Enzo Tortora, a popular Italian television host known for his primetime game show “Portobello,” which aired on RAI from 1977 for seven seasons. In 1985, Tortora faced grave accusations from several former mobsters turned state witnesses, alleging his involvement with a Neapolitan crime syndicate engaged in drug trafficking. Despite being sentenced to ten years in prison and enduring a lengthy legal battle, Tortora’s conviction was overturned by Italy’s Supreme Court in 1987. The ruling was met with widespread public support, as many believed he had fallen victim to corruption within the judicial system.
The cast of “Portobello” features Fabrizio Gifuni in the role of Tortora, alongside notable actors Lino Musella, Romana Maggiora Vergano, Barbora Bobulova, Alessandro Preziosi, and Fausto Russo Alesi. Gifuni previously collaborated with Bellocchio in the limited TV series “Exterior Night,” which depicted the 1978 kidnapping and assassination of former Italian Prime Minister Aldo Moro by the Red Brigades.
“Portobello” is produced by Bellocchio’s Kavac Film in partnership with Our Films, a subsidiary of Mediawan. It is co-produced by Arte France and The Apartment Pictures of Fremantle. The screenplay is co-written by Bellocchio along with Stefano Bises (“Gomorrah”), Giordana Mari (“My Love”), and Peppe Fiore (“The King”).
After its premiere in Venice, “Portobello” will also be showcased at the Toronto and Busan film festivals, further extending its reach to international audiences.
Oliver Bachert, Chief Distribution Officer at Beta Film, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, “We are very proud to join such a strong project together with Mediawan on the distribution side as well as Our Films and Kavac Film on the production side. Certainly, ‘Portobello’ will follow the success of Beta’s highlight series, such as ‘Gomorrah,’ ‘Rocco Schiavone,’ and ‘The Sea Beyond.’”
Valérie Vleeschouwer, CEO of Mediawan Rights, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the importance of supporting creative talents like Marco Bellocchio. “We are proud to support a talent such as Marco Bellocchio, one of the most influential and acclaimed Italian filmmakers. It’s a real pleasure to partner with Beta Film on the international distribution of this prestigious program, reflecting our ongoing commitment to supporting the world’s best talents and intellectual properties,” she stated.
As anticipation builds for “Portobello,” the collaboration between Beta and Mediawan underscores the growing interest in international narratives, particularly those that delve into the complexities of justice and media in contemporary society.
