In the beginning was Alfonso Bialetti, the man who invented the moka in 1933. Alfonso had the vision for the iconic object, but it took two more people to turn it into a business and communication success: his son, Renato Bialetti, and comic artist Paul Campani, who created the famous “Little Man with a Moustache” for Carosello—the groundbreaking Italian TV show that revolutionized advertising with its blend of entertainment and commercials. The lives of Alfonso, Renato, and Paul are intertwined with the major events of the 20th century and the profound changes in Italian society, design, advertising, and consumer culture.
List of the interviewees: Tina Bialetti, Alberto Alessi, David Chipperfield, Massimo Temporelli, Elisabetta Trincherini, Claudio Onesti, Matteo Severgnini.
Themes and Structure
The documentary will center around a rich archive from the Bialetti-Alessi family, featuring interviews with Tina Bialetti (Alfonso’s daughter), Alberto Alessi (Alfonso’s nephew and current president of Alessi S.p.A.), and Germana Bialetti in Alessi (Alfonso’s daughter), along with audio recordings of Ada Bialetti (Alfonso’s wife). It will also include photographs and unpublished materials from the family's private archives. The documentary will feature also voices that contextualize the family's legacy, including architect David Chipperfield. Graphic animation, inspired by the 1960s era of illustration and advertising, will play a crucial role in bringing key episodes to life. This will pay homage to Carosello, the groundbreaking Italian TV show, and Paul Campani’s iconic “Little Man with a Moustache.” Historical archives will also highlight the broader cultural impact of the moka coffee pot on consumption, advertising, and design throughout the 20th century.
