A love letter to Naples – where fire, faith and football collide
Naples is not a city of quiet moments. It lives loudly, intensely, unpredictably – fuelled by the volcanic force of Mount Vesuvius, affectionately known by locals as Signore, the Lord of Nature. Home to more than three million people, life here feels like a constant negotiation with uncertainty. Perhaps that’s why everything feels more urgent, more alive.
From the electric blue glow of street shrines and the shimmering waters of the Gulf to the roar of scooters and the fierce devotion of football fans, Naples’ untamed spirit reveals itself in layers of chaos and beauty that cannot be separated.
“I wanted to capture this vibrant, impossible city in its most sacred moment. When fire threatens to break through the ground at any moment with almost no warning, perhaps you live your life differently. Without a helmet. With more urgency, more fullness, more sensation.”
Shot on 16mm film, Sotto Il Vesuvio by director Kevin Koch amplifies the textures, colours and emotions that define Naples. Filmed during the euphoric street celebrations following SSC Napoli’s home victory against Cagliari in August 2025, the short film honours a city where football becomes religion and Diego Maradona remains an eternal presence. Faith and superstition merge, and life unfolds at full volume.
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