Raïssa Botterman’s mob war docuseries to premiere this month on Netflix

Congratulations to Stern & Wild filmmaker Raïssa Botterman whose unflinching new true crime docuseries on the bloody mob war that overwhelmed Philadelphia in the 1990s is set to drop on Netflix on 22 October.

The gritty three-part series MOB WAR: PHILADELPHIA VS. THE MAFIA examines the brutal battle for control of the US city's organised crime syndicate waged between John Stanfa, a veteran crime boss hand-picked by the New York Mafia’s Five Families, and supporters of rival Joey Merlino, head of the so-called Young Turks.

Stanfa had been chosen by the Five Families to restore order in the city following the arrest of Philadelphia crime boss Nicky Scarfo but soon found his old-school grip threatened by a new breed of mobsters led by Merlino, who had little respect for tradition and everything to prove. Their rebellion ignited a vicious war which left behind a trail of bloodshed and chaos.

The series features first-hand accounts from former mob associates, law enforcement officials, prosecutors and journalists who witnessed the war unfold and charts the FBI’s pursuit and eventual takedowns of Scarfo, Stanfa, and finally Merlino. It points out that Joey Merlino denies being involved in violence or ever being a member of the Mafia.

The series is a Raw TV production for Netflix. It is directed by Grierson nominee Raïssa, whose previous credits include BECOMING MATISSE (Brook Lapping for the BBC), MY DAUGHTER’S KILLER (Rogan Productions for Netflix) and MURDER IN THE PACIFIC (Oxford Scientific for the BBC). Exec Producers are Tom Sheahan, Dimitri Doganis and Jon Liebman.

To watch the trailer, click here.