Son of the Century,which made its world premiere at theVeniceFilm Festival today.
The first season captures 10 years of Il Duces life, building toward the murder of a socialist politician.
At the same time, they both experienced isolation in their pursuits for what they believe is politically right.
Joe Wright on set of ‘M. Son of the Century’Fremantle Italia
We kept on bumping into each other, as you do at that time of year.
Apparently, he was a fan of mine.
So, it was another opportunity for me to learn.
Offices for Mussolini’s newspaper at Cinecittà.A. D’Alessandro, Deadline
Stefano was the writer onM, and so, I was immediately intrigued by working with him as well.
From the moment you read the scripts, was that influence immediate?
DEADLINE:The series is all in Italian.
Did you have a translator on set or did you direct in Italian?
WRIGHT:I directed in Italian.
I had loads of crew who were also Italian.
I took Seamus McGarvey, my DP, and an AD Danny McGrath with me.
A bit, but not much.
DEADLINE:How long was the shoot?
WRIGHT:127 days for eight episodes, the whole thing.
DEADLINE:And it was all shot at Cinecitta?
DEADLINE:I actually got to see the sets at Cinecitta, which were gorgeous.
Was that a feasible shoot?
Had you shot there before?
WRIGHT:Cinecitta was amazing, and Lorenzo had worked out a deal with the lot.
I loved working there.
I mean, its a great combination of all the modern facilities you may possibly need.
A very positive, can-do approach, and also this incredible history around you.
You know, you feel the lineage.
They all shot there, and that does feel special.
DEADLINE:How doesLorenzo compare to other producers youve worked with?
WRIGHT:Lorenzo is intensely intellectual.
He has, I think, exceptional taste.
He is very good at putting packages together creatively.
I dont mean financial packages.
Then he brought me on.
And he said Luca Marinelli.
I was able to be incredibly egalitarian in my casting, but he suggested Luca.
I looked at all of Lucas work.
And he is absolutely extraordinary, and the whole show hangs on his performance.
Its kind of a one-man show, and so, that was Lorenzo.
Immediately understood what I was getting at, why I was making that choice.
Hes certainly a producer who you could call on at the right time when needed.
He makes things happen.
He totally makes things happen.
DEADLINE:Do you think Western audiences, particularly British and American, will be ready forM.
Son of the Century?
Most Italians have a fascination with Mussolini, good or bad.
Even if youre not pro-Mussolini, hes a riveting character.
WRIGHT:I think itll be really, really interesting, and Im fascinated to see the response.
So, its a very bold take on the show, as well.
Its not a kind of period drama in the traditional sense, you know?
As I mentioned, you know, it has The Chemical Brothers in the music.
Its a very intense experience, and Im very excited for audiences to get to see it.
Im interested in both the Italian response, because Italy has never fully faced up to its Fascist past.
There were no Nuremburg Trials.
There was no truce or reconciliation.
Its also about how dreadful men can be, as well.
Its also about masculinity, if you like.
DEADLINE:Is that what drew you to the project?WRIGHT:Yeah, one of them.
I think thats really important to sense that.
The series does work on many levels.
