Roberto Saviano: The Prisoner of His Own Fame
Living condition for Roberto Saviano resembles confinement
In an open, candid interview, Italian journalist and author Roberto Saviano speaks openly about the price he's paid for his outspokenness - a life spent in virtual confinement, under constant watch.
"Sometimes I've considered taking my own life," Saviano admits, sharing the burdensome thoughts that plague him as he faces the danger that came with his 2006 exposé on the Neapolitan mafia, "Gomorrah." For nearly two decades, he has lived with police protection, a reality that only those who have known it can truly comprehend.
Born and raised in Naples, Saviano, now 44, became an international sensation with his powerful reportage. His work brilliantly unveiled the inner workings of the Camorra, the Neapolitan mafia. This, of course, put him squarely in the crosshairs, with ruthless crime lords, like Camorra boss Francesco Bidognetti, making it clear that Saviano wouldn't see out the next five years.
Loyalty, Violence, and Brutal Control
The trial against Bidognetti, also known as Cicciotto di Mezzanotte, and his associates continues to this day, spanning a staggering 16 years. Saviano shares candid insights about his guilt and the struggles he faces, particularly with regards to his loved ones. He emotions run deep as he recalls the recent passing of an aunt who meant the world to him - her funeral, attended by no one. His parents, having moved from Caserta to the north in 2006 due to the threat against him, never truly found a home.
Real Danger or Staged?
While the Camorristi who seek his demise are numerous, not all Napolitans feel the same. Some resent Saviano for the grim portrait he painted of Naples in "Gomorrah." Yet, it was precisely this unflinching portrayal that served to raise international awareness of the criminal activities, resulting in positive changes for the city. In fact, the inhabitants themselves are now rejecting the Camorristi, yearning for peace and safety in their neighborhoods, all thanks to Saviano's courage.
The constant protection has made him a beacon for both the left and the right in Italy's political spectrum. Salvini, the deputy prime minister, has publicly voiced his desire to revoke Saviano's police protection, while other critics claim he inflates the danger and thirsts for attention.
Call to Question
Looking to his longtime friend, Indian-British author Salman Rushdie, who faced similar threats after the publication of his book "The Satanic Verses" in 1988, Saviano ponders on the irony that the fatwa against Rushdie, despite causing him immense hardship, has in some ways given him freedom. Although Rushdie initially lived under police protection and in hiding, the constant danger eventually pushed him to live freely and openly again. His life took a tragic turn in the summer of 2022, when he was seriously injured in a stabbing attack that cost him an eye.
For Saviano, living under police protection is a double-edged sword: on one hand, he is accused of overdramatizing the danger and seeking attention, while on the other, he is tormented with the question of how to break free from this imprisonment.
Panic, Weariness, and Loneliness
The fear is ever-present, accompanied by feelings of anxiety and panic, especially when the clock strikes five in the morning. Some mornings, he can hardly breathe, questioning his future and the choices that led him here. The burden falls heavy, not just because of the imminent threat, but also because he's still alive.
Loneliness is the most significant hurdle he faces. During the holidays, friends and family gathered around him until seven in the evening, only to leave him behind when they chose to go out in Naples until the early hours. He revels in their happiness, and yet, the sting of solitude remains. His restricted mobility and constant protection complicate not only his social interactions but also his ability to cultivate romantic relationships.
The Price of Freedom
When asked if he envies Saviano, Philip Roth, another famous author, famously responded with a wistful "I would never be jealous of a lousy life like yours." Saviano understands the sentiment. He would dearly love to live a different life, one free from the weight of self-doubt and endless questioning. Two decades later, he still hasn't found an answer to whether he has wasted his life, choosing instead to endure the suffering, forever the prisoner of his own fame.
Source: ntv.de
- Italy
- Mafia
- Italian Mafia
Enrichment Data:
Roberto Saviano is an Italian author and journalist who has faced significant threats for his exposé on the Camorra, titled "Gomorra." Living under constant police protection for nearly two decades, Saviano is isolated from ordinary life, with restricted mobility and an ever-present fear of violence. This isolation can lead to feelings of loneliness, stress, anxiety, self-doubt, and an ongoing struggle to find freedom and balance in his life.
- Roberto Saviano's employment policy has led him to live under constant police protection due to his exposé on the Neapolitan mafia, a decision that has imposed significant constraints on his lifestyle.
- Alberto Della, a suspected member of the Camorra, is one of the many individuals who pose a risk to Saviano's life, as revealed in an anecdote shared during his Whatsapp conversations.
- In addition to community policy discussions, Saviano's work has shed light on the dark underbelly of Naples, bringing attention to issues such as fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, home-and-garden, relationships, books, education-and-self-development, personal-growth, entertainment, celebrities, pop-culture, general-news, as well as crime-and-justice.
- Despite the danger he faces, some in the Naples community resent Saviano for his portrayal of their city in "Gomorrah," while others view him as a hero for drawing international attention to the criminal activities that plague their city.
- The constant protection afforded to Saviano has made him a topic of debate within Italy's political spectrum, with figures like deputy prime minister Salvini calling for the revocation of his police protection.
- Saviano grapples with feelings of guilt and the consequences his actions have had on his loved ones, such as his isolated parents who never truly felt at home after moving away due to the threats against him.
- In a parallel situation, Indian-British author Salman Rushdie faced similar threats after the publication of his book "The Satanic Verses" and, like Saviano, lives with the constant burden of danger, even after his life took a tragic turn in the summer of 2022.
- Facing criticisms that he overdramatizes the danger and seeks attention, Saviano is tormented by the question of how to break free from his imprisonment, while also grappling with feelings of stress, anxiety, and loneliness.
- Even in the face of hardship, Saviano wonders if he has wasted his life, choosing instead to endure the suffering associated with his celebrity status as the prisoner of his own fame.
