15/03/2022 - The director will chart the rise of the Frattasio brothers’ empire in the 1990s, Neapolitan DJs whose pirated mixed tapes defined an era

Director Sydney Sibilia (centre) and actors Luigi D’Oriano, Giuseppe Arena and Emanuele Palumbo (© A. Pirrello)

“A story about passion and dreams which originates in a poor neighbourhood in Naples and turns into an incredible, international adventure”: this is how the production team describe Sydney Sibilia’s new film, Mixed by Erry [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile], which is currently being shot over an eight-week period in Rome, Naples and Sanremo.

Much like his other films Sibilia’s fifth feature film, after the hit trilogy I Can Quit Whenever I Want [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Sydney Sibilia
film profile] and the Netflix movie Rose Island [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile], is produced by Matteo Rovere. The screenplay was penned by the director alongside Armando Festa, based on Simona Frasca’s book of the same name.

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It’s the 1980s, we’re in the magical Campanian capital and Maradona is considered a god. Enrico “Erry” Frattasio turns the mixed tapes he makes for his friends into an empire with the help of his brothers Peppe and Angelo. It’s a sensational enterprise which changes all of their lives, reinvents the concept of piracy in Italy and brings music into everyone’s lives.

“It’s a thrilling, incredible but true story bursting with music and ambition, and first and foremost based on a true story. I’m delighted to finally be able to tell Erry and his brothers’ story, one which I myself experienced first-hand as a boy, and which always made me believe that talent and passion aren’t nation-specific and can overcome all borders. And even Forcella can bring forth DJs”, Sydney Sibilia enthused.

The three Frattasio brothers are played by Luigi D’Oriano (Erry), Giuseppe Arena (Peppe) and Emanuele Palumbo (Angelo). The cast also includes Fabrizio Gifuni, Francesco Di Leva, Greta Esposito and Cristiana Dell’Anna, to name just four. The film’s photography is entrusted to Valerio Azzali, set design is by Tonino Zera, costumes are by Valentina Taviani and casting is in the hands of Francesca Borromeo.

Mixed by Erry is produced by Groenlandia together with RAI Cinema and enjoys support from the Campania Region, the Campania Region Film Commission Foundation and the Genova Liguria Film Commission. The movie will be distributed in Italian cinemas via 01 Distribution.

(Translated from Italian)