“Scamacca” turns Bärmesens into a film metropolis
Mafia action from Sicily, martial arts and art with passion and a lot of Bärmesens: With “Scamacca”, Giovanni Balisteri is bringing his second handmade film, after “Destroyer” from 2024, to the Walhalla cinema, which not only provides adrenaline, but also full bowls and better rooms for the animal shelter. The trailer and the film were presented on Wednesday in the rooms of “Sefrin & Partner”.
He writes the script himself, directs it, edits everything himself and also came up with the idea for the film title. He was drawn to the name of an Italian soccer player, Gianluca Scamacca. “Scamacca definitely sounds like a mafia,” he says. What was his inspiration? “I’ve watched action films and kung fu films all my life. Stallone, Bruce Lee and mafia films. Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather, starring Marlon Brando and Al Pacino, gave him the kick for his new project.” Balestreri: “I wanted to combine mafia and action films.”
The now 39-year-old Pirmasens native has been training in martial arts since he was twelve. First there were small clips, now the films are shown on the big screen, supported by his partner Lailia Su Eichmann, who not only takes part in the film but also acts as a camerawoman.
Andreas Groß’s Walhalla cinema center becomes a mafia arena. And the cinema boss makes it clear: “Of course we support it. It would be fatal not to support this Pirmasen project as a company with roots in Pirmasen.” As so often, Groß shows a clear attitude towards his homeland.
The 107-minute action crime thriller focuses on Vincenzo Morosini alias Giovanni Balestreri, the leader of the Sicilian Scamacca mafia. During the Germany assignment, corrupt police officers, arrest, psychiatric hospitalization and ultimately escape await him. What follows is an uncompromising campaign of revenge with hard fists and a clear line.
Fake blood is dripping and the cameras are whirring at various filming locations in Pirmasens. For example in dynamics. While others are still sleeping, marketing director Rolf Schlicher personally opens the dynamicum at 5 a.m. The hands-on museum he runs becomes an action backdrop, just like Eddie’s winery, the Pirmasens hospital or the premises of “Sefrin & Partner”. In the film, its founder Stefan Sefrin does not embody the entrepreneur in front of the camera, but rather the head of a department of a fictional secret service.
He convinces with a stern look and clear orders. There is a “sniper airsoft gun” in the pistol holster. Sefrin: “The Pirmasens-based company is one of our partners.” These also include Wasgau AG, the “Best Western Hotel” and many others. “Jimmy Blond” lead actor Thorsten Grohund and director Michael Scherpf personally investigate in agent guise. Things get dramatic in the Carolinensaal: a loud bang! Thomas Erno Weidner from “Sefrin & Partner” falls to the floor in front of around 50 extras with a blood-soaked white shirt. Silence. In Eddie’s winery, mayor Markus Zwick plays the secret service boss in the style of “M” in “007”. Hollywood? No. “Pirmawood,” says Scherpf, referring to Bollywood.
The premiere in the large hall on February 27th at 8 p.m. is already sold out with 224 tickets. Advance tickets are still available for the second performance on March 4th. A ticket costs ten euros. Nine euros of this go directly to the Pirmasens animal shelter. Animal shelter chairwoman Birgit Oster says: “We are very happy about it. Not just because of the financial aspect. It is important that the animal shelter is seen again and that the animals are put more in focus.”
The animal shelter is struggling with rising costs because older animals in particular stay in the animal shelter longer. “This causes high costs,” explains Oster. “That’s why this support is extremely important for us.” The contact came about unexpectedly. “Mr. Balisteri wrote to us. It was a very nice surprise for us.”
Balisteri himself says simply: “You don’t necessarily make money with a project like this. But if you can do something good, then do it.” And why the animal shelter? “Well, I’m a dog owner myself.” His French bulldog named Sitka even stars in the thriller. “Shooting with animals is difficult,” says Balisteri with a smile. “Almost like with little kids. But it was fun.”
And the future? “I definitely plan to continue making films,” he says. “It’s not easy with limited resources. But it’s a lot of fun.”
“Scamacca” is not a glossy blockbuster from the dream factory. It’s a film with edges and heart. One that was created in Bärmesens and Sicily. Because Balestreri’s roots lie in Aspra, not far from Palermo.
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date: 2026-02-13 06:55:00
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