A Cinematic Tribute to a Hero of Justice
In a powerful tribute to one of Italy’s most revered anti-mafia figures, director Debora Scalzo brings to life the story of Judge Paolo Borsellino in her latest documentary, Paolo Vive. Set to debut in theaters on September 19, this docufilm not only chronicles the life and legacy of Borsellino but also serves as a resonant reminder of the ongoing fight against organized crime.
Honoring a Legacy That Defies Time
It has been thirty-two years since the tragic day of July 19, 1992, when Judge Paolo Borsellino was assassinated along with five of his escort agents in a brutal Mafia attack. The explosion that claimed his life, however, failed to extinguish the powerful legacy he left behind. Instead, it fueled a movement, turning his life and work into a symbol of resistance and courage that transcends borders.
Debora Scalzo’s Paolo Vive is aptly titled, reflecting the enduring spirit of Borsellino’s mission. The documentary not only revisits his life but also explores the profound moral and ethical impact he has had on the fight against the Mafia. Actor Bruno Torrisi takes on the challenging role of portraying Borsellino, delivering a performance that is both gripping and deeply respectful of the judge’s legacy.
A Journey Across Continents
The official trailer for Paolo Vive will be released on September 19, with the full documentary hitting theaters in October. The national premiere will take place in Sicily, Borsellino’s homeland, in Palermo, followed by screenings in Partinico, Trapani, Catania, and Syracuse. From December, the documentary will embark on an international tour, reaching audiences in Europe, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia, Brazil, and North America, with special screenings in Los Angeles, New York, Toronto, and Vancouver.
The world premiere in Vancouver will be hosted at “The Italian Cultural Centre,” a fitting location for such a significant film. Scalzo will also be a special guest at the prestigious University of British Columbia, where she will engage with students on the critical topic of Education for Legality, alongside collaborators Cinzia Candela and Anna Foschi Ciampolini. Scalzo’s commitment to educating the younger generation about the importance of legality and moral integrity is a testament to her dedication to this cause.
A Director’s Mission Rooted in Legacy
Debora Scalzo’s work in Paolo Vive is the culmination of a lifelong commitment to the principles of justice and legality. Her connection to this world is deeply personal, inspired by her grandfather, “Nonno Lorenzo,” a Sicilian police officer who protected anti-mafia magistrates during the most violent years of organized crime. “Nonno Lorenzo is a beacon for me, a light, an angel always by my side, and this project is also dedicated to him,” Scalzo shares.
The director’s reputation as “the anti-mafia filmmaker” stems from her unwavering stance against the Mafia, a position that has often placed her in the crosshairs of danger. Yet, it is precisely this fearlessness that drives her to tell stories like that of Paolo Borsellino, ensuring that his legacy—and the values he stood for—remain alive.
In recognition of her contributions to the world of law enforcement and culture, Scalzo has received numerous national and international awards. Among them is the “Apoxiomeno Award” for literature, presented at the “International Police Award Art Festival,” an honor shared with renowned figures like Helen Mirren and Colin Firth.
Looking Ahead: A New Project on the Horizon
As Paolo Vive prepares to make its global impact, Scalzo is already gearing up for her next project, Un dolore da difendere. This short film, set to begin production in 2025, will explore the deeply emotional and complex story of Luna, a strong yet fragile career woman, and Ignazio, a policeman who struggles to love the very women he helps. The film will tackle challenging themes such as prostitution, organized crime, and the fear of love, in collaboration with the prestigious Italian publishing group, Santelli.
When asked what she loves most about her work, Scalzo’s response is as inspiring as her films: “I love to tell stories of real lived life, stories of great men and great women who have made history, but most of all, to leave indelible memories in people’s hearts. I want to be able to give not only emotions but hope, because hope is already a victory.”
As Paolo Vive makes its way to audiences worldwide, Debora Scalzo stands as a powerful voice in cinema, one that honors the past while challenging the present, reminding us all that the fight for justice is far from over.
Follow Debora Scalzo on Instagram: @iorestocosiofficial
The Hollywood Magazine interview Debora Scalzo
Q: What inspired you to focus on anti-mafia filmmaking, and how has it influenced your storytelling?
A: Certainly as a Sicilian woman, I have always been attached to everything that is legality. I grew up with a great-grandfather who was a policeman, and who in the rawest years of organized crime in Sicily escorted great personalities and magistrates who in their daily lives fought against the Mafia, magistrates like Judge Cesare Terranova. But not only that, I have a deep esteem for all law enforcement agencies, the added value of our country, always on the front lines. All this has influenced my life since I was a girl, I still remember my high school term paper dedicated to Judge Paolo Borsellino. I can tell you that the project of my docufilm “Paolo Vive” I kept in my drawer since I was a girl, and now here we are telling the world about it. For me, it’s a great joy and satisfaction. I am proud to be able to give young people around the world a profound message of legality, the story of a Sicilian man who makes us honest Sicilians proud to be Sicilians, a man who fought for us by sacrificing himself to give us a better world, a man who will live forever.
Q: How do you hope your documentary on Paolo Borsellino will change perceptions of Sicily?
A: I hope that “Paolo Vive” can make all those people who stay silent, who do not stand up to the Mafia, think. I hope young people will get closer and closer to the world of legality. It is important to study, understand, and know—three watchwords that are needed to start a process of social change. I think it is very important to teach legality education to young people, the importance of saying “no” to favors, drugs, easy money, and recommendations—it should be a compulsory subject in schools. A simple but powerful way to fight the Mafia. Here is what I would like. Paolo Borsellino left a great legacy, the courage to walk tall, his great dedication, the ability to say “no” and fight for what you believe in. But above all, he taught us that even the most difficult enemy can be defeated. Because Sicily—the real one—is Paolo Borsellino.
Q: In your books and film works, you love to tell stories of real life, stories of men and women who made history. How do you manage to balance work and personal life?
A: It is not easy because I am a very emotional woman, and often my work absorbs me completely, but in a constructive way. There are times when I feel the need to disconnect, but more so to clear my head of thoughts. But I strongly believe that in the most painful and difficult moments of my personal life, my work has been my strength, my real salvation—my work has helped me overcome them. And then, next to me, I have my family, who is always supporting, helping, and supporting me. I am a woman like any other, human, with feelings, who loves her work, but puts her family first. I really want to say this because quite a few people think that when you work a lot, travel the world, you are like machines and think only about that. But for me, it is not like that. My work, like my personal life, is a whirlwind of emotions.
Q: What message do you aim to convey through the characters of Luna and Ignazio in “A Pain to Defend”?
A: “A Pain to Defend” is my latest novel and soon-to-be short film, with casting starting in January 2025 at the Milan office of the Santelli Group. I wanted to address the subject of prostitution because decades have passed, governments, laws, and customs have changed in Italy, but prostitution remains an unresolved issue. The women who are often judged for their choice to sell their bodies are often victims of organized crime, but not only that, they are women who have experienced trauma and pain related to feelings. These women should not be used or left alone, but helped. I felt the need to tell the story of a successful woman, who from success sinks into a strong and painful depression because of a man, throwing away the strong woman she was, but who will be able to see the light thanks to another man. It is a story that will reveal that even successful women suffer and that men are not all the same. There are those who disappoint you, betray you, but also those who love you and save you. The main characters are Luna, the strong but also fragile career woman who will change her life drastically, and Ignazio, the policeman who helps women but in his private life cannot love them. After the release of the short film, my book will also come to America as it will be translated into English, and I can’t wait.
Q: How do you balance historical accuracy with creating a compelling narrative in your films?
A: This is what I love most about my work—the transition from story to final creation. I can tell you that I read a lot and study a lot about the story to be told. Dealing with stories of people who exist or have existed, I can bring the character to life in a very engaging way. When I have the idea of what to tell, I also automatically choose how to tell it, and since it is cinema—a story that has to move the viewer—the way of telling it is a fundamental choice. I like to create suspense, nostalgia, and hope in my stories. The viewer must feel that there is something that unites them with my protagonist. As a writer, I love to evoke emotions, but as a screenwriter, I love to bring my characters to life, and that is something incredible.
Q: What do you think is the most powerful aspect of storytelling in driving social change?
A: Literature, like film, is a powerful and important weapon to spread a strong message of legality. All the more so when a film or docufilm deals with the lives of people who have made history. Cinema is more than just a form of entertainment. It is a mirror of society that reflects cultural, social, and political changes, but it is also a powerful agent of influence that can shape opinions, values, and behavior. In addition to reflecting society, film has the ability to profoundly influence it. Movies can introduce new ideas, challenge prejudices, and promote social change. And “Paolo Vive” I believe will do so because it tells the truth in an unprecedented and exclusive way.
Q: What are your biggest challenges and hopes for your upcoming projects in 2025?
A: The biggest challenge is my fortitude and the many important projects coming up. Most importantly, landing in March with my “Paolo Vive” overseas in New York and Los Angeles will be a big dream come true. I will also arrive in Canada thanks to my fabulous consultants Cinzia Candela and Anna Foschi Ciampolini. I will be a guest speaker at the globally important Canadian university, the “University of British Columbia,” to talk to kids about legality education, and there will also be a special screening at the “Italian Cultural Centre” in Vancouver, BC, in the presence of the Consul—a great honor. The docufilm will be released in theaters in Italy on October 19, with the national premiere in Sicily in Palermo, the birthplace of Judge Borsellino. International distribution will start in December and will see me arrive not only in Europe, but also in the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia, and Brazil. I am thrilled and satisfied with the great work done by me and my team, from producer Antonio Licciardello and Mario Giarola, to the great actor Bruno Torrisi who plays our beloved Paolo, all the workers, the testimonials, the co-producers, the film commissions, and especially the Borsellino family, always by my side. I strongly believe that my American journey will give me a lot as a woman, not only as an artist—it will be a long journey full of emotions.