Netflix’s miniseries From Scratch stands out as one of the streaming platform’s most touching and heartfelt productions. The narrative revolves around Amy, portrayed by Zoe Saldaña, an American art student who embarks on a romantic journey with Lino, a Sicilian chef played by Eugenio Mastrandrea, all while living in Italy. This remarkable love story captivated audiences globally, swiftly becoming a beloved hit among Netflix viewers. However, it is the deeper examination of their shared struggles that truly sets the miniseries apart. The impact of Lino’s cancer diagnosis forces the couple to confront his health challenges while navigating family expectations and cultural differences, culminating in their decision to adopt a child.
A striking aspect of From Scratch is its foundation in real-life events. Inspired by Tembi Locke’s memoir, From Scratch: A Memoir of Love, Sicily, and Finding Home, the series is crafted by Tembi and her sister Attica Locke. While some elements have been adapted for dramatic purposes, the series remains loyal to the memoir’s emotional core, encapsulating the poignant essence of Tembi’s experiences.
Tembi Locke’s Adaptation: Balancing Truth with Creative Freedom
Crafting a Unique Narrative: Creative Changes
Adaptations of personal memoirs are a rare privilege for writers, and Tembi and Attica Locke succeeded in creating a series that stays true to the real story while making thoughtful modifications. Tembi, an accomplished actress known for her roles in Never Have I Ever and Dumb and Dumber To, partnered with her sister Attica, recognized for her writing on Little Fires Everywhere and When They See Us to bring their family’s narrative to life.
One essential change was the alteration of character names to foster “psychic distance”between the real-life individuals and their portrayals. In an interview with Today, Tembi articulated that this shift gave the characters the freedom to evolve independently of their true-life counterparts. Significantly, she even involved her daughter, Zoela, in naming one of the characters—Idalia.
In the series, Zora, played by Danielle Deadwyler, is modeled after Tembi’s sister Attica but is portrayed as the elder sibling for storytelling reasons. Attica noted that Zora’s personality and circumstances diverge significantly from her real-life character, including her pre-existing residence in Italy.
Additional narrative adjustments intensify the familial tensions experienced by Amy and Lino. The show also streamlines the chronology of Lino’s treatments and Amy’s emotional return to Sicily after his passing, allowing the story to unfold with enhanced dramatic resonance.
A Transformative Journey: Tembi Locke’s Experience in Creating From Scratch
Healing Through Storytelling: Tembi’s Mission
Conveying her own tragic love story to the world was a monumental task for Tembi Locke, but she met the challenge with grace. Collaborating with her sister to create From Scratch became not only an emotional journey but also a fulfilling process that resonated with viewers and gained critical acclaim. Countless audience members have reached out to share how the series has aided them in their own grief journeys, enhancing Tembi’s sense of purpose.
“I can’t imagine having it been done any other way. The best thing I could offer was to be the guardian of the essence of the story. I knew we could change things. But if the storyline had to go left, then it still had to follow the emotional heartbeat of reality.”
A profoundly moving aspect of this experience was Tembi’s sense of her late husband’s presence throughout the filming. Intriguingly, several cast members shared unknown connections to Saro Gullo, Tembi’s husband, and filming locations often coincided with the actual events. One astoundingly poignant moment occurred when a cast member used “Attachina,”a term of endearment Saro had lovingly given to Tembi.
“That is a nickname Saro called me. I had not heard that in 10 years. I said, ‘Why did you just say that?’ And she said, ‘I don’t know. It just came to me, it felt like he was right here.’
However, Tembi chose not to watch scenes depicting the love story between Amy and Lino, wishing to preserve her authentic memories of her own experiences. She articulated her rationale by stating:
“I didn’t watch the visuals because I want to maintain and protect my own memories. Suddenly you start to remember the thing that was made, and you forget the original images.”
Collaborators’ Perspectives: Zoe Saldaña and Reese Witherspoon
A New Venture: The Seeds of Collaboration
For Zoe Saldaña, taking on the role of Amy in From Scratch marked a shift to a deeply personal portrayal after starring in blockbuster hits like Avatar and Guardians of the Galaxy. The idea for the adaptation sprouted during a dinner between Zoe and producer Reese Witherspoon, who introduced Tembi’s memoir as the ideal project for Saldaña. Zoe felt an immediate connection to the narrative, particularly in its exploration of love and loss. In her interview with Today, Zoe reflected on how her own experiences with grief shaped her connection to the story:
“I lost my dad, so I remember grief from my 9-year-old self and looking up at my mother, I saw how difficult it was for her. So the book really kind of opened that scope of what it’s like to lose a partner. I know what it’s like to lose a dad, but not what it’s like to lose your partner.”
Reese Witherspoon also expressed a heartfelt connection to Tembi’s memoir. She played a pivotal role in bringing the adaptation to Netflix, emphasizing the narrative’s potential for international impact. In comments to Variety, Witherspoon elaborated on her passion for sharing Tembi’s authentic story:
“We haven’t seen a modern romance that’s a true story like this in quite some time, so it’s really beautiful to see Zoe Saldaña — who actually has married an Italian man and speaks Italian on film — to watch that love story happen and know that it is so deeply personal to her.”
Tembi Locke: Next Steps and Ongoing Engagement
Future Endeavors: A New Collaboration with Universal Television
Since the release of From Scratch, Tembi Locke has embraced opportunities to share her insights on grief and healing. Through interviews and public engagements, she champions the creation of supportive communities for recovery from loss. Notably, Tembi announced a writing workshop on Instagram, aiming to help individuals articulate their personal narratives.
In addition, Tembi continues her partnership with sister Attica, who served as the showrunner for From Scratch. Together, they have entered an overall deal with Universal Television and are currently adapting Attica’s novel, Bluebird, Bluebird, which centers on a Black Texas Ranger.
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