The Professor

The narrative spans the 1960s to the early 1980s, beginning with a murder in 1963 and tracing the professor’s rise from within prison walls. It covers the Camorra wars of the 1970s, the 1980 Naples earthquake, and the 1981 kidnapping, culminating in the state moving the Professor to Asinara. The era shows how crime, politics, and disaster interlock to reshape southern Italy.

The story primarily unfolds inside Poggioreale Prison in Naples, where inmates exercise real power and the future Camorra boss begins to cohere. It also traverses the city of Naples, a hotbed of gang conflicts and political intrigue during the 1960s–1980s. The plot eventually reaches Asinara, a remote island used as a high-security prison, highlighting how the state tries to contain an increasingly powerful criminal empire.

🗝️ Power and Crime

Power in the film is built through fear, charisma, and control of the prison network. The Professor converts a prison cell into a command center and grows his influence beyond Naples. He leverages loyalty, strategic violence, and political leverage to expand his criminal empire. The theme shows how institutions can be repurposed to sustain alternative power.

🩸 Violence and Betrayal

The narrative is steeped in brutal acts—murders, car bombs, and the graphic destruction of opponents' families. Violence is depicted as a routine tool for enforcing loyalty and silencing rivals. Betrayal from within the organization accelerates the collapse of alliances and stability. The film uses these acts to illustrate the corrosive nature of organized crime.

🏛️ Politics and Corruption

The plot exposes the ties between crime and state power, including ransom negotiations and political interference. It shows politicians negotiating with criminals and breaking agreements for perceived gain. When state authorities move the Professor to a fortress like Asinara, the line between law and lawlessness blurs. The cycle reveals how corruption enables sustained criminal influence over long periods.