In recent years, there has been a growing concern about the impact of human activities on the environment. While many countries have taken steps to mitigate this impact, the situation in Naples, Italy, is one of the most alarming cases of environmental neglect in modern times.
Toxic: Napoli is a documentary that explores the environmental crisis in Naples, Italy. The film is a chilling look into the way the Mafia has controlled the waste-management industry in Naples for decades, leading to the dumping and burning of trash across its rolling hills and vineyards. As a result, the city has become a toxic wasteland, with mutated sheep, poisoned mozzarella, alarming rates of cancer, and pissed off farmers ready to push back against the Camorra, Italy’s most powerful and dangerous criminal organization, and the government that enables it.
The film begins by highlighting the severity of the environmental crisis in Naples. The European Union declared the situation an official environmental emergency in 1994, but things have only gotten worse since then. The Camorra controls every aspect of the waste-management industry in Naples, from collecting and transporting garbage to disposing of it. They make millions of euros every year by dumping toxic waste illegally, contaminating the soil, air, and water.
The documentary then shows the shocking impact of this environmental crisis on the people and animals of Naples. Mutated sheep are born with missing limbs or deformed features, and the cheese made from their milk is too toxic for human consumption. Rates of cancer and other diseases are skyrocketing in the region, and farmers are losing their livelihoods as their crops and livestock become contaminated.
Toxic: Napoli also delves into the political and social factors that have enabled the Camorra to continue their criminal activities for so long. The Italian government has been unable or unwilling to tackle the problem, and many politicians are believed to be in cahoots with the Mafia. The film also shows the efforts of local activists and citizens to fight back against the Camorra and demand a safer and healthier environment for their families and future generations.
Overall, Toxic: Napoli is a gripping and disturbing documentary that sheds light on one of the most pressing environmental issues of our time. The film is a wake-up call for governments, corporations, and individuals worldwide to take action and prevent similar crises from occurring in the future.