The glamourised lifestyle of drug kingpins so often portrayed in cinema takes a back seat in the new series 'ZeroZeroZero', which graphically tells the story of a doomed shipment of cocaine.
From the producers of multiple award-winning series 'Gomorrah' and 'Romanzo Criminale', and based on the book by acclaimed Italian writer Roberto Saviano ('Gomorrah'), 'ZeroZeroZero' takes place between Monterrey, Mexico, New Orleans, and Gioia Tauro, Italy.Focussing on brokers, sellers and buyers, the story follows the criminal activities of the Leyra brothers whose Mexican cartel runs and owns Monterrey's drug supply (with the assistance of a corrupt soldier).
In Italy, Don Minu La Piana is the boss of the 'Ndrangheta and orders a shipment of cocaine from the Leyra's. As he says, "to feed our people, we need a lot of money". But his position is challenged by his grandson and a rival family.
The brokers are the Lynwoods, an American family – played by Andrea Riseborough ('The Grudge', 'Birdman') and Dane DeHaan ('Chronicle', 'The Amazing Spider-Man 2' – from New Orleans who own a prestigious shipping company. "What we do keeps the world's economy afloat."
The infighting within the 'Ndrangheta causes the shipment to be rerouted to Africa, and the delay has dramatic consequences for all the interested parties.
There are way too many moments where the on-screen action will leave you reeling from the sheer violence depicted in a world that will be foreign for most, but all too common for millions of others.
'ZeroZeroZero' is available to stream via SBS On Demand.
