Le Coccinelle: Neapolitan Transsexual Melodrama

2012, Italian, Italy, Naples,

Director: Emanuela Pirelli
Release Year: 2012

Synopsis:

In the working-class districts of Naples, private ceremonies have become a thriving industry. Unlike other parts of the world where the spotlight shines on internationally famous pop stars promoted by platforms like MTV, Naples is home to local, self-made performers. At events like weddings, which can last for over twelve hours, these musicians captivate the guests with their performances, entertaining family and friends throughout grand banquets.

 

The celebrations include weddings, baptisms, first communions, birthdays, and neighborhood gatherings, all of which serve as the backdrop to the vibrant shows of "Le Coccinelle", a transsexual musical troupe that fascinates and delights its audience. Their performances are met with wonder, especially by children, while women are moved by the emotional power of their stories. The deep connection between the women of Naples and the transsexual community is both ancient and significant. In the context of private celebrations, only women are allowed to watch the performances of "Le Coccinelle". In settings decorated in elaborate faux-Baroque styles, the performers sing and act out stories filled with raw emotion. They recount their experiences with prostitution, the judgment they face from Naples’s upper class, the hypocrisy of their clientele, and the complexities of their relationships with women from the working-class streets. Yet, amidst these challenges, they also celebrate the vibrant and joyful life that Naples embodies.

 

The filmmaker and photographer Emanuela Pirelli first encountered Tonino, the lead performer of "Le Coccinelle", five years ago while working on a photographic project about transsexuals in Naples. After hearing Tonino's personal story, Pirelli was moved to meet the rest of the group and began following them during their performances around the city. This allowed her to immerse herself in their world and to understand the connections between the group and their fans and friends. Pirelli, a young filmmaker and photographer from Naples, has worked extensively across Italy and internationally. After studying at Rome’s Institute of Photography and Communication, she gained experience in photo reportage and documentaries. She worked as an assistant director, camera operator, and film crew member for various documentaries and news productions. She also directed behind-the-scenes footage and arts films, including for Lech Kowalsky's "Winners and Losers" (2007). In "Le Coccinelle", Pirelli takes the audience into an unfamiliar world that intertwines old traditions with the modern struggles of transsexual performers, showing the deep roots of these performers in Neapolitan culture. In Naples, 

 

"Le Coccinelle" are not just entertainers—they are the modern inheritors of the tradition of "femminelli", figures who have long existed in the city’s history. These individuals navigate a complex balance between respect and discrimination. In the public eye, they serve as confidants for women, cherished friends of children, lovers of men by night, but outcasts by day. They are viewed as bringers of luck and are often requested to appear at games of chance, baptisms, and weddings, yet they remain condemned to a life of solitude. The story of "Le Coccinelle" serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle for freedom and human rights. It stands in stark opposition to the hypocrisy of a macho society that continues to view diversity as a limitation or flaw. The members of "Le Coccinelle" defy such views, distinguishing themselves from both men and women, heterosexuals, and drag queens. Through their songs and performances, they bring forward the emotions shared by everyone, especially those who have felt different, betrayed, or abandoned. Their courage and strength never fade, and they continue to sing, inspiring others to do the same.

 

The documentary is a captivating doku-musical, blending neomelodic Neapolitan songs with themes of sex, religion, worldly pleasures, and both old and modern struggles. "Le Coccinelle" creates a unique blend of performance art that captivates audiences with its mix of drama and humor, set against the backdrop of Naples’ working-class neighborhood celebrations. The troupe is composed of Gennaro, Tonino, Genny, and Giacinto, four trans women from the backstreets of Naples, who perform in restaurants decorated in a kitsch Baroque style. They share stories of prostitution, the prejudices of Naples' upper class, and the hypocrisy of their customers. Yet, they also reflect on their deep friendships with women from the streets and the city's joyful way of life. During wedding receptions, "Le Coccinelle" deliver thrilling performances that combine melodrama with humor, touching on themes such as love, betrayal, family conflict, escapism, discrimination, prostitution, loneliness, and the quest for emotional stability. Their shows are dramatic, grotesque, and irresistibly funny, portraying both the difficult and joyous moments of life. Tonino, the group’s leader, plays the most dramatic roles, often portraying a grieving mother, a fallen woman, or the man in love with a transsexual. Gennaro, in contrast, brings comedy to the group, with his quick improvisational skills.

 

Over time, the troupe expanded, with new performers joining in. Clementina, with her refined features, became the perfect candidate to play upper-class women, while Giacinto, with his stately presence, often portrayed male roles in pieces like "Carmen". Genny, the most striking of the performers, caught the audience's eye with her beauty. In Naples' working-class neighborhoods, private events have become a significant source of income, where the stars are not internationally recognized performers but homegrown, self-taught singers. At weddings, which can span twelve hours or more, these performers captivate the crowd. "Le Coccinelle" offers a unique entertainment experience, with their performances drawing a diverse audience. Children are enchanted by their acts, while women are moved by their emotional storytelling. The bond between the women of Naples and transsexual performers is rooted in deep tradition, built on long-standing relationships that go beyond simple entertainment. Tragedy struck in 2009 when Tonino passed away from a tumor, leaving Gennaro uncertain about the future of the group. By then, Gennaro was nearly 60, and the lives of transsexuals in Naples had become more difficult.

 

A year after Tonino's death, "Le Coccinelle" reunited at a memorial service for him in a church. And with that, the saying "The show must go on" proved true as they returned to the stage with renewed energy and a refreshed purpose. Pirelli's personal journey began when she first met Tonino, the charismatic leader of "Le Coccinelle", while working on a photographic project about transsexuals in Naples. After hearing Tonino’s story and becoming fascinated by it, Pirelli decided to meet the other members of the group. She followed them as they performed in various locations around Naples and developed close connections with their fans and friends. Gennaro, now living alone with a small dog named Coccinella, which serves as a tribute to his late friend Tonino, carries on the group's legacy. The group took a brief hiatus due to the deep grief left by Tonino’s passing, but they have now returned, invigorated with new members and fresh songs, ready to continue their extraordinary performances. Through "Le Coccinelle", Emanuela Pirelli offers an intimate glimpse into the world of transsexual performers in Naples, capturing not only their struggles but also the joy and resilience that define their lives.

 

via: youtube
uclitalianfilmclub.wordpress

Image Credits: YouTube