Director Paolo Sorrentino (1970)

The New Pope (2020) is a satirical drama TV series by Paolo Sorrentino for Sky Atlantic, HBO, and Canal+. A continuation of The Young Pope (2016), it was originally announced as the second season. Starring Jude Law and John Malkovich as fictional popes Pius XIII and John Paul III, respectively, it was co-produced by The Apartment Pictures, Wildside, Haut et Court TV, and Mediapro. Despite nine months and multiple unsuccessful heart transplants, Pius XIII remains comatose but has garnered a devoted following who ...

Loro (2018), a film by Paolo Sorrentino starring Toni Servillo, follows the story of Sergio Morra, a young businessman from Taranto. He engages in small-scale trafficking of young escorts to bribe local politicians and obtain licenses through unconventional means. Tamara, an equally unscrupulous woman and a mother, helps him with his schemes. Seeking more power and influence, Sergio and Tamara head to Rome with the goal of getting close to Silvio Berlusconi. In the city, Sergio meets the enigmatic Kira, also known as the Queen Bee due to her direct connection to ...

The satirical drama series, The Young Pope (2016), was created and directed by Paolo Sorrentino for Sky Atlantic, HBO, and Canal+. Lenny Belardo, a young cardinal from New York, becomes Pope after the leading contenders of the Papal conclave are unable to gain enough votes. As a compromise candidate, he takes on the name Pius XIII and immediately begins to challenge long-standing traditions and practices within the Vatican. In one of his first actions as Pope, he declares that common people are not permitted to see him and appears shrouded in darkness during a public appearance in St. Peter’s Square. During a ...

Youth (2015) is a comedy-drama film by writer and director Paolo Sorrentino. This marks his second English-language work. The story follows septuagenarian friends Fred Ballinger and Mick Boyle, who are currently vacationing at a luxurious spa in the Swiss Alps called Wiesen. Fred, a retired classical music composer, is approached by a representative for Queen Elizabeth II during their stay. The Queen wishes to grant him a knighthood and invites him to perform his popular composition ‘Simple Song #3’ at Prince Philip’s birthday concert. However, Fred declines the offer, stating that he has no interest ...

Rio, I Love You (2014) is a cinematic collage of love in Brazil with an international cast. As the third installment of the Cities of Love series, Rio, Eu Te Amo brings together 10 talented directors from diverse backgrounds and presents 10 unique tales of love set in different neighborhoods of the city. Each segment captures the essence and charm of its specific location through a heartwarming encounter between two individuals. The film not only entertains, but also aims to promote cultural understanding and appreciation by showcasing both local and universal expressions of love. 1. Dona ...

Paolo Sorrentino’s film, The Great Beauty (2013), is a thought-provoking art drama co-written and directed by the Italian filmmaker. It begins with a quote from Louis-Ferdinand Céline’s novel, Journey to the End of the Night, which highlights the power of imagination in travel. The story follows Jep Gambardella, a 65-year-old journalist and theater critic known for his enigmatic charm and love for the vibrant social scene in Rome. He navigates through a city steeped in rich history but defined by its superficial inhabitants, creating a striking ...

This Must Be the Place (2011), an Italian-French-Irish drama directed and written by Paolo Sorrentino and Umberto Contarello respectively, tells the story of Cheyenne. The former wealthy rock star has been living a mundane and uninspired life in Dublin for the past two decades. His retirement was prompted by the tragic suicides of two of his teenage fans. Seeking some sort of redemption, he makes the journey to New York to make amends with his dying father, only to arrive too late. His justification for not being in contact for 30 years was due to his father’s rejection when he began experimenting with goth ...

Il divo (2008) is a biographical drama directed by Paolo Sorrentino that delves into the life of former Italian Prime Minister, Giulio Andreotti. The film competed at the Cannes Film Festival and received the prestigious Jury Prize. It follows Andreotti’s political career, which was plagued by accusations of Mafia connections and scandalous events such as his seventh election in 1992, his unsuccessful attempt at becoming President, and his controversial trial in 1995. As the film begins, Giulio Andreotti reflects on his ability to endure a tumultuous political career, unlike his ...

The Italian film, The Family Friend (2006), was directed by Paolo Sorrentino and was showcased at the Cannes Film Festival that year. Geremia, an elderly tailor and money lender, lives alone with his ill-tempered mother in a rundown house. Known for his selfish and frugal ways, Geremia develops a peculiar obsession with money and uses it to meddle in others’ affairs under the guise of being their ‘family friend’. One day, he is approached by a man seeking a loan for his daughter Rosalba’s wedding. Instantly smitten with the charming young woman, Geremia enters into an unconventional relationship ...

The Italian psychological thriller film, The Consequences of Love (2004), was written and directed by Paolo Sorrentino. Its main character, Titta Di Girolamo, has been living in an upscale hotel in Lugano, Switzerland for the past eight years. Every day, he puts on his suit and roams around, intentionally avoiding any interactions with people. In the morning, he solves chess puzzles from the newspaper and in the evening he plays Grabber with a bankrupt aristocratic couple who are also staying at the hotel. Occasionally, he calls his family back in Italy but his wife always seems uninterested in talking to him and his ...

One Man Up (2001) is the acclaimed debut film by Italian director Paolo Sorrentino. It offers a stylish and darkly witty glimpse into the downside of stardom. Set in the eighties, it follows the downward spirals of two men named Antonio Pisapia. Despite leading separate lives, their paths are strikingly similar. Toni Servillo (known for his role in Gomorrah) plays a singer whose fame plummets after a scandal. Meanwhile, Andrea Renzi portrays a football star whose career is abruptly ended by an injury. With keen ...