Doc/Fest - Sheffield

Italy’s wanna-be’s, theirup-starts, show men and show women personify the greatest aspirations of beauty in Berlosconi’s Italy today. After all, having a media mogul for president for so long can ever so subtly turn the public away from each other and from truth, towards a simpler version of existence where morality is only set by what you see in the mirror. Erik Gandini exploits his position as insider and ex-pat to make sharp incisions into the new consciousness of Italy under Berlusconi, pointing a lens at three stories that centre on the country’s obsession with fame, a sardonic sexuality and greed. Gandini’s work has borne the brunt of censorship recently after ruffling the creases in many a politician’s suit both inside and outside Italy. So you know it’s got to be good. This is Italy from above and below the belt. This is Italy through a lens darkly.

“Gandini maintains a critical distance and treats modern Italy as both comedy and tragedy.” - Toronto International Film Festival