by Cinzia Tini

"One hour with Don Matteo is like a visit to a Beauty Farm or to a small oasis in the middle of the hustle and bustle of a big city". That's what Giulio Base thinks, already at work as director, but filming for the first time in Gubbio: "This is the first time I'm filming in this square - he explains as he adjusts the baseball cap that protects his eyes from the brilliant sunshine in Piazza Grande -. I've been here before, but the idea of doing the filming in this place excites me. I can't hide my excitement: Don Matteo is a wonderful inheritance because after the viewing numbers of the previous series, we can only hope to grow and improve on them". Did Giulio Base say, "Improve on them"? "We should think of this series as being like a Ferrari: it runs, it's perfect, but every now and then it could use a makeover. Don Matteo is wonderful as it is, but one can always add some touchups to make it even better. This year there's a new character, the mayor, played by Milena Miconi, and I'm sure that people will like the stories in which she's a central character".
And if Miconi is what everyone's waiting for in this new series, then the one person who's most anxious to meet the mayor is certainly Captain Anceschi, as always Flavio Insinna, who, according to the script, will become bewitched and seduced by her eyes "It's clear it's fiction! - he says, clearly amused by the subject -. In real life, a beautiful woman like that would never fall in love with someone who looks like me". There are no juicy details to tell you about the love story, only bits and pieces for the journalists which has helped to stir up people's curiosity "It seems that at the beginning, they do nothing but argue - Captain Anceschi lets slip -. Actually, that a terrible beginning for a love story, but, you know, strong hate can lead to other strong emotions we'll wait and see what happens".
And Marshal Cecchini? In another world, as always, like the actor who plays him, Nino Frassica, who offers up some curious comments on female mayors "It's history taking its revenge - he explains - Since 1600,women have always controlled the cities, and then along came the men with their masculine revolution and the women were swept away. Don Mateo returns a woman to the role that history meant for her to have". Then he calls out to the citizens of Gubbio: "If someone finds me a house at a reasonable price, I'll buy it and come live here". Is he serious?