Califano TV film: plot, cast, previews, Leo Gassmann, rai 1

Lor he just threw from the stage of Sanremo, and this evening on Rai 1 at 9.30 pm we will see him in action. Leo Gassmann And Califanoin the TV film about the Roman singer-songwriter, a bit of a poet, a bit of a rebel, a lover of women and music. It is the first time that the son of art approaches the world of acting, just like father Alexander and grandfather Vittorio. «And this is just the beginning», Leo is certain.

The film by Alessandro Angelini, based on the biography Without handcuffs by Califano himself and Pierluigi Diaco, tells the life of Caliphhis saving and obsessive relationship with music, the masterpieces written for Mia Martini and Ornella Vanonithe dark period in prison, the friendship with criminal Milanese Francis Tutarellothe meeting with his wife Rita andthe strong bond with lifelong friends.

Califano: the plot of the TV movie

Rome, 1963. Franco Califano (Leo Gassmann) is a boy like many others. He is charming, sells vacuum cleaners, but loves poetry and music. His permanent appointment is the Kit Kat, where Edoardo Vianello often performs, and with his friend Antonello he founded a group. And it was in their favorite venue that they performed for the first time in 1964. Here the Caliph will meet Vianello and Rita, the girl who will soon become his wife and with whom he will have his daughter Silvia.

But the Caliph’s life as a father is tight. He leaves Rita and her daughter and moves to Milan to Edoardo Vianello’s house, where he writes songs for Bruno Martino (And they call it summer), Vianello and for Ornella Vanoni, that with The music is over participates in Sanremo in 1967. The Caliph became the lyricist of many Italian singers and in 1969 he held the role of artistic director of a record company and discovered the Riches and Poors.

In 1971 the Caliph knows Patricia, with whom she will have an intense but short love story. Franco then gets involved in a shady deal which leads to him behind bars, only to be exonerated. In prison he doesn’t stop writing songs, it is here that he meets the criminal of the Milanese underworld Francis Tutarello, who he will frequent as a friend. In 1972 he chose to go solo with We are small-town people. But she can’t write songs about happiness, “because it lasts a moment,” he says.

The masterpiece Minuetprison, obsession with music and love for friends

In 1973 it was the turn of a masterpiece like Minuet, sung by Mia Martiniwhile in 1977 it was the turn of Everything else is boring. The Caliph is defined as the “Pasolini of Italian song”. His life is all ups and downs: he is arrested again for collusion with the underworld and illicit trafficking ofhis friend Francis. But Califfo will be able to get back on track this time too: it is music that saves him, the people who have not forgotten him and the friends with whom he performed at the Kit Kat they help him record a new album, even while under house arrest. This time too he will be exonerated.

Leo Gassman’s first time as Califano

Leo Gassmann he has always been interested in music. In 2020 a Sanremo he won in the youth category with the song You’re fine like thiswhile in 2022 he presented himself with Third heart. This evening the son of art makes his debut on Rai 1 as an actor in the role of Franco Califano. A piked dive: put yourself in the shoes of an overflowing, kaleidoscopic and provocative character it could have been a risk for a non-actor. Leo Gassmann he took it into account and after a series of successful auditions he decided to give it a try.

Leo trained with a coach, lost six kilos and learned to sing like Califano, “trying not to imitate him and avoid the speck”, says Gassmann. As a Roman he knew some of his history, but not the more hidden, dark and human sides, who he met thanks to meeting Franco’s friends. «Antonello Mazzeo and Alberto Laurenti they opened the doors of their hearts to me and made me get to know Franco closely – explains Leo – we tell the story of the artist and the human being that no one has ever told.”

Leo Gassman on the trail of grandfather Vittorio and father Alessandro

With this move Leo sets out on the trail of his father and grandfather. There’s a long way to go. «There was no better way to start the journey into the world of acting.

It’s nice to reconnect with your roots – commented the new actor – this is just the beginning, I will pursue both the path of acting and music. I don’t exclude anything, just like artists abroad do.”

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