Ministero per i Beni e le Attività Culturali (Italy): 4

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 ...

I Am Love (2009) is an Italian romantic drama film directed by Luca Guadagnino. The wealthy Recchi family, known for their textile manufacturing in Milan, gather for a formal dinner party hosted by Tancredi and Emma to celebrate the birthday of their patriarch, Edoardo Sr. Despite his declining health, Edoardo Sr. remains a strong presence in the family business. As the busy servants work around them, the family shares disappointment over Edoardo Jr.’s recent loss in a competition on the same day as his grandfather’s birthday. But Edoardo Jr. soon arrives with news that he has invited his girlfriend Eva, ...

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 ...

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 ...