Angolan writer to bring to life the first Afro-Italian protagonist in a film which will show on Netflix

Angolan writer and TV show host, Antonio Dikele Distefano, has revealed that he is writing a new original Italian series titled “Zero” which will feature Itlay’s first black protagonist. The series, which will be featured on Netflix, is from one of his novels and captures the present-day lives of Black Italian youth and the struggles for survival.

Dikele Distefano, an Angolan born near Varese in Italy revealed in a Netflix video that Zero “possesses special powers which help him know the reality of things and people that are concealed behind appearances.”

“For me — for a black kid who is Italian, like Zero, and who owes everything to Italy – the most beautiful thing is that this will be the first series in which the protagonists will be a black Italian kid,” Dikele Distefano said.

“I hope that this [series] will open the door to black actors, creatives, and artists who have not yet had a big break,” he added while pointing out that “this story will reflect the lives of lots of kids, regardless of what colour they are.”

According to Variety, Distefano grew up in the Northern City of Ravenna and made his debut as an author in his self-published novel titled, “Fuori piove, dentro pure. Posso passare a prenderti?” which translates as “It’s Raining Outside, And Inside As Well. Can I Come And Pick You Up?” 

Despite the decline in racism in Italy, the country continues to fight racist incidents against blacks. His most recent book about a black kid named Zero tells the hardships and racism in contemporary Italy. This book will provide the bases for the series, however, it will “feature lots of rap [music]” because “rap is the language of my generation,” he said.

Zero will be produced by Fabula Pictures alongside Red Joint Film in 2020.

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