Califano

Synopsis
Rome, 1984. At the Parioli Theater, a thousand spectators wait for Franco Califano to take the stage. Franco is in the dressing room waiting for what he imagines will be the most important night of his life: from now on no more shenanigans, he will be the best Califano possible.

Before long, however, six men in uniform will burst into the dressing room, put handcuffs on his wrists, and take him away by parading him in front of his stunned audience. Going back in time: Rome, 1961. Franco is 22 years old, lives in Rome with his mother and brother, is fatherless, writes poetry and dreams of the Dolce Vita. He met Antonello Mazzeo, a friend who would remain faithful to him throughout his life, and Rita his first love, with whom he would marry and have his only daughter.

But for Califano the ordinary everyday life is too narrow, and in 1963 he abandons everything and everyone, moving to Milan, host of Edoardo Vianello. There he began writing songs, dating more than one woman, consuming drugs, and making important friendships, such as those with Gianni Minà and Ornella Vanoni. He then began his first successes as an author and scout, but the consumption of cocaine in 1968, at the height of a depression, forces him to spend a few months in a clinic to detoxify.

The “Califfo”, however, is determined, ambitious and starts from scratch: he returns to write hit songs such as “Minuetto” performed by Mia Martini; with Edoardo Vianello founds Apollo Records; he bets on “Ricchi e Poveri” and brings them to Sanremo Music Festival; has a love affair with Mita Medici. Yet even this successful and seemingly happy moment is not destined to last: soon Califano feels caged again, moves away from Mita Medici, and is arrested one more time for drugs.

Prison is a blow to him, but also an opportunity for rebirth. Franco manages to get house arrest and, with the help of his great friend Mazzeo, returns to write and records the album “Impronte Digitali”, his greatest legacy, his greatest redemption.