French comics writer Jean-David Morvan and Italian artist Ste Tirasso will adapt Napoli-New York, a film manuscript by Italian director Federico Fellini, into a graphic novel for Arcancia Studio.
Napoli-New York hasn’t been made into a film (yet), but was one of the last works from Fellini. It was co-written by Opium Den writer Tullio Pinelli.
“During my life as a scriptwriter, I invented stories and universes, worked on biographies and adaptations, but there’s one thing I’ve never done before: adapt a manuscript meant for a movie into a graphic novel, especially from such a master,” Morvan said. “The story takes place in two cities: New York City, which I know very well, and Naples, which I don’t know yet. I plan to take time to visit and really feel the spirit of the city, so that everything I learn can become part of my script.”
The story is set during World War II and is based on true events.:
Napoli-New York is a fictional story based on historical, real-world events from Naples in 1946, following one of 200 city air raids during World War II. After the collapse of her house, Celestina, a child tested by her complicated life, embarks on a journey with a clever and ingenuitive street urchin (a “scugnizzo”) named Carmine. The two plan to travel to New York City in search of Celestina’s older sister Agnese, who has taken residence there with her American husband. However, a chance meeting with Joseph Garofalo, a grumpy naval officer who discovers the two stowaways, will change the course of their young lives.
The graphic novel is expected sometime in 2024. In addition, Gabriele Salvatores, who directed the Academy Award-winning film Mediterraneo, is directing a film adaptation.
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