Avetrana, This Is Not Hollywood. Release Date and Plot

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The TV series that tells the tragic case of the murder of Sarah Scazzi, initially titled Avetrana – This is not Hollywood, underwent a name change, becoming simply This is not Hollywood. Directed by Pippo Mezzapesa and produced by Greenland for Disney +, the series explores the dynamics behind one of the most discussed crime stories in Italy. Inspired by the book Sarah: the girl from Avetrana di Flavia Piccinni e Carmine Gazzanni, the production faced legal hurdles and controversy before its official release on 30 October.

Will Avetrana be broadcast?

The journey of the TV series towards broadcasting was not easy. From its presentation to Rome Film Festival, has provoked strong reactions, especially from the community of Avetrana, who has always tried to distance himself from the image associated with the tragic story of Sarah Scazzi. Originally titled Avetrana – This Is Not Hollywood, the series met with opposition from the Mayor of Avetrana, Antonio Iazzi, which expressed the town's desire not to be constantly linked to the tragedy.

The legal intervention to change the title has led the platform and producer Groenlandia to face a emergency appeal in court, temporarily blocking the broadcast. After negotiations and in compliance with the judge's order, Disney+ confirmed the series with the updated title in This is not Hollywood.

Why did the series on Avetrana change its title to This Is Not Hollywood?

The title change from Avetrana – This is not Hollywood a This is not Hollywood was dictated by legal issues. The municipality of Avetrana feared that using the city's name could perpetuate a negative image. The phrase "This is not Hollywood," chosen as the new title, has a symbolic meaning: it is a quote originating from a sign that appeared in the town shortly after the media hype that followed the case.

The authors' intent was to maintain a respectful narrative of the story, but pressure from the local community led to the choice of a title that did not directly evoke Avetrana. This change reflects the complexity of the relationship between news and local communities, often affected by the consequences of tragic events that have become public knowledge.

What was the role of the Taranto court in changing the title?

Il Taranto Court played a central role in the title change. After the presentation at the Rome Film Festival, the mayor of Avetrana requested a emergency appeal to prevent the city's name from being associated with the series. The judge granted the request, imposing a title change on the producer and temporarily blocking the broadcast.

The court’s decision has sparked a debate about media representations and communities’ rights to protection. Producer Matteo Rovere defended artistic freedom, stressing the importance of Constitution in guaranteeing the authors the right to tell the truth. However, the series has chosen to respect the provision and proceed with the title This is not Hollywood.

When did Avetrana/This Isn't Hollywood come out?

The series This is not Hollywood is available in Italy on Disney+ from October 30th. After the initial block and the title change, the platform has finally launched this long-awaited production, offering viewers a look at one of the most dramatic news stories in recent Italian history.

Divided into four episodes, the series retraces the story of Sarah Scazzi, with each episode focusing on a different perspective. Characters like Sarah, Sabrina, Cosima and Michele Misseri guide the narrative, offering a complex picture of events and inviting the viewer to engage with a story that continues to generate questions and reflections.

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