Germany’s Beta Film and France’s Mediawan Rights have announced a partnership to manage international sales for the upcoming TV series “Portobello,” directed by acclaimed Italian filmmaker Marco Bellocchio. The series, which presents a dramatization of a notorious miscarriage of justice in Italy, will premiere on Monday during the Venice Film Festival.
“Portobello” marks a significant milestone as it will be the first HBO Original Italian production, set to launch on the HBO Max streaming platform in 2026. The series will be accessible globally, with the exception of France and Germany. The narrative revolves around the true story of Enzo Tortora, a popular television host known for his primetime game show “Portobello,” which aired on the Italian state broadcaster RAI from 1977 for seven seasons.
In 1985, Tortora faced serious allegations from former mobsters-turned-informants, accusing him of involvement in a Neapolitan crime syndicate linked to drug trafficking. Despite being sentenced to ten years in prison and enduring a prolonged legal battle, Tortora’s conviction was overturned by Italy’s Supreme Court in 1987. This decision stemmed from a widespread belief that he had been a victim of judicial corruption.
The cast of “Portobello” features Fabrizio Gifuni in the role of Tortora, alongside actors Lino Musella, Romana Maggiora Vergano, Barbora Bobulova, Alessandro Preziosi, and Fausto Russo Alesi. Gifuni previously collaborated with Bellocchio in the limited series “Exterior Night,” which depicted the 1978 kidnapping and assassination of former Italian Prime Minister Aldo Moro.
Kavac Film, Bellocchio’s production company, is producing “Portobello” in collaboration with Mediawan’s Our Films. The series is also a co-production with Arte France and Fremantle’s The Apartment Pictures. The writing team includes Bellocchio, Stefano Bises (“Gomorrah”), Giordana Mari (“My Love”), and Peppe Fiore (“The King”).
Following its premiere in Venice, “Portobello” will also be showcased at the Toronto and Busan film festivals, broadening its visibility in the international market.
Oliver Bachert, Chief Distribution Officer at Beta Film, expressed enthusiasm for 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.” He added that “Portobello” is expected to follow in the footsteps of Beta’s successful series such as “Gomorrah,” “Rocco Schiavone,” and “The Sea Beyond.”
Valérie Vleeschouwer, CEO of Mediawan Rights, praised Bellocchio’s contributions to cinema, saying, “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.”