"I Cento Passi," or 100 steps being the title of this film came to be very descriptive of Peppino's motives and thought process pertaining to his efforts working against the Mafia, or at least working to expose it and their eerie control, power, and presence in Cinisi. Considering how powerful the Mafia is, it can be assumed that Peppino knew he would not be able to single handedly dismantle it. Additionally, it cannot be forgotten that Peppino was born into the Mafia insinuating he has obtained knowledge over time and through his youth of how the corrupt, and violent system works -- especially when the death of his uncle took place. I believe that when this event took place, Peppino had a realization that the Mafia's violence had no limits, even to family involved. Extending from this incident, I think it pushed him further to fight for his values and his want to ignite change and awareness within the people of Cinisi.
I conceptualized the title of the film as a phrase suggesting that there are many steps to be taken for the people to even have the courage to openly express the want for change to take place, let alone get a large group brave enough to express these beliefs against the Mafia as intimidation, violence, and eliciting fear are common tactics used by the Mafia towards anyone who makes any kind of effort against them and the system. In the beginning of the movie, Cinisi is shown as an empty, quiet place. Based upon the movie and what it's about, how Cinisi was displayed allowed the interpretation of fear and reluctance to speak by the people living there and with knowing the prevalence of the Mafia in that city. This, to me, was very prevalent in the scene of Peppino as a young boy with his uncle listening to the painter. No one else was around or shown walking by. This made it even clearer how much threat and fear existed in order to get people to not even want to be present around someone else talking down on the Mafia. In Peppino, and through his conversations with the painter, even as a young boy you could tell he would grow to push back against it. Going back to the title, Peppino was one of the first people to continuously and very bluntly express ideas against Mafia. Slowly, he gained support, and more people came to be on his side that were also willing to join him in his protests and open expression. To me, it encapsulated an underlying message of the title; although the Mafia is so close and right in front of everyone's faces, many steps need to be taken to begin change and to make more and more people aware of its danger and cruelty -- because while people feel safe if they are "protected" by the Mafia, it still will never be in the interest of the people, but for selfish reasons centered around money, power, and control.
While unfortunately Peppino's life was taken due to his bravery and blunt effort against the Mafia, I think he did exactly what he wanted to. Going back to the idea that he could never single handedly dismantle the Mafia, he did make people see more of the issue; the scene of his funeral displayed this when the man told his mother that his friends already forgot Peppino, but shortly after, the large protest took place where many shouted that he is still living with them. To me, it showed that he did leave a mark and at least opened the door for more people to talk openly, which I think is what he really wanted to do as well as get people at least thinking more and also pushing for better.
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