Filumena Marturano (1980)
Directed by Enzo Sirna
Cast
Filumena Marturano……….Carmela Briguglio
Domenico Soriano……….Paul Camenzuli
Alfredo Amoroso……….Luciano Pinto
Rosalia Solimene……….Michelina Currie
Diana……….Silvana Ricciardi
Lucia, cameriera……….Manuela Di Nola
Umberto……….Paolo Potente
Riccardo……….Enzo Sirna
Michele……….Reno Porcaro
Lai??i??Avvocato Nocella……….Bruno Napolitano
Teresina, sarta……….Gina Berti
Primo Facchino……….Nick Cappa
Secondo Facchino……….Bill Vocisano
Written in 1946, Filumena Marturano has been performed in many countries including Russia, England and the United States. Its appeal to vast audiences is probably due to the fact that it deals essentially with human conflict and the timeless role of motherhood. In this play we also see a contrast between conventional, social views and to the forces of fate.
This conflict is represented by the two chief characters, Filumena and Domenico. Filumena an ex-prostitute is an earthy example of Neapolitan womanhood. She is a woman who has suffered greatly; who has borne the hardships ad misfortunes that fate has dealt her, and who lives according to her own rules of honesty and integrity. Domenico Soriano, son of a wealthy businessman, has, on the other hand, been blessed with wealth and position, has allowed himself to live egoistically and with indulgence, flitting to and from the elegant capitals of London and Paris, dividing his time between horseracing and women.
Filumena has been living with Domenico for twenty-five years, enduring his constant neglect, continued indifference and never-waning infidelity. Finally she has had enough; she reacts and takes her fate into her own hands. By pretending to be dying, she tricks Domenico into marrying her.