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"Contraband" is a 1980 Italian crime thriller film directed by maverick filmmaker Lucio Fulci, known for his work in gory horror movies. The film stars Fabio Testi, Ivana Monti, and Marcel Bozzuffi and delves into the dangerous world of drug trafficking and organized crime. Known in Italy as "Luca il contrabbandiere," literally translating to "Luca the Smuggler," the film brings to life the gritty underside of Naples' smuggling circuit.

The protagonist of the story is Luca Di Angelo (played by Fabio Testi), a man who has become entangled in the perilous and dirty business of cigarette smuggling in the Naples underworld. Luca is portrayed as a family man with a strong moral compass despite his illegal endeavors. He tries to provide a decent life for his wife, Adele (Ivana Monti), and their young son. The world he operates in is unforgiving and brutal but is also bound by a code of honor among thieves. However, all of these are put to the test once the story unfolds.

The film opens up with a portrayal of the intricate network of smuggling operations along the Italian coastline, focusing on the high-stakes adventures that Luca and his associates engage in to avoid law enforcement. They take enormous risks to ensure the illegal goods make their way to their destination. Their operations are mostly successful, enabling them to thrive in an economy that is rife with corruption and criminal competition.

However, the relatively stable criminal environment is disturbed when a new player enters the scene. This new and ruthless gang begins to establish its mark on Naples' docks, disrupting the status quo and bringing a new level of violence and terror to the world of smuggling. They are not content with just being part of the market; they aim to monopolize the narcotics trade. The film thus sets the background for a brutal gang war for the control of the drug routes.

The supporting cast, including Marcel Bozzuffi as the antagonist, gives a face to the changing tides of criminal power in Naples. Bozzuffi's character is a brutal crime boss with a penchant for sadistic methods to establish his supremacy. His performance adds a menacing and chilling tension to the entire film, as he opposes Luca's determined but increasingly desperate efforts to protect his family and livelihood.

As the new gang employs increasingly violent tactics, Luca is cornered into defending his territory, associates, and family, leading to a series of escalating conflicts. The struggles bring both the inner strength and vulnerabilities of Luca's character into sharp focus, challenging his principles and forcing him to confront the possibility that his chosen path may have devastating consequences.

"Contraband" is trademark Fulci, with gritty, realistic depictions of the Neapolitan backdrop, punctuating the narrative with action-packed sequences, intense character confrontations, and moments of shocking violence. The ambiance of the film is as much a character as any of the actors, with the smoky, noir-like cinematography taking viewers deep into the criminal underworld.

Lucio Fulci, often revered for his boundary-pushing visual storytelling, does not shy away from graphic content in "Contraband." The film features some sequences that are quite visceral and explicit, embodying the kind of unfiltered, brutal realism that was prevalent in the Italian crime genre of that era. However, beyond the bloodshed, the film also offers a critique of the socioeconomic conditions that push individuals like Luca towards a life of crime, making it a layered and multifaceted crime drama.

The score of "Contraband" is another highlight, with synthesized melodies weaving through the tense atmosphere, heightening suspense, and accentuating the characters' emotions. It acts as a perfect counterpart to the visual style that is both dismal and intense, reflecting the turmoil and desperation of the film's protagonists.

As the plot unwinds, "Contraband" presents a series of twists and turns, calling allegiances into question, and revealing the depths to which humans will go to maintain their power, protect their families, and survive. Luca's journey becomes increasingly treacherous, fraught with moral quandaries and the potential for betrayal amidst the chaos of the gang conflict.

Ultimately, "Contraband" is a classic European crime thriller that does not offer clean resolutions or simple answers. It's an unapologetic descent into the violent world of organized crime through the lens of one man's life and the unforgiving city he calls home. It showcases Lucio Fulci's versatility as a director and remains a standout entry in the poliziotteschi genre of Italian cinema. The film is a snapshot in time, preserving the dark corners of Naples' criminal underbelly in the closing days of the seventies' crime film era, with a tale that is as much about survival as it is about contraband.

Contraband is a 1980 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 37 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5.