Silvio Berlusconi, former Prime Minister of Italy, as announced by ANSA. The politician had serious health problems for several years, he suffered from leukemia, and in the spring he was hospitalized due to pneumonia. We remind you of the text we published on the occasion of the premiere of the movie “They”. The film, directed by the Oscar winner Paolo Sorrentino, tells the story of the famous “bunga bunga scandal” and at the same time is an example of an artistic commentary in an important public debate.
Kasia Smutniak in a film about Berlusconi’s sexual scandal
“They” is a strong film, at the same time full of eroticism and deeply thought-out symbolism. The director skillfully combined an artistic vision with a moral story about the condition of the modern world and the people who rule it. All based on the example from your own backyard. Because although the production tells about how an aging politician cannot come to terms with the inexorable passage of time and, in order to fight it, resorts to dubious actions from various points of view, the director does not judge him in advance. He tries to understand his character and give this opportunity to the viewers as well.
In Them, Berlusconi is shown from different perspectives: at the same time, he is an influential figure whose favor is sought by many people. And it so happens that the prime minister’s favors are easiest to find thanks to female charms. Silvio may be an old man, but he likes the company of young and attractive women. He used to feel great in their company, now these meetings lead him to sad conclusions.
Sorrentino shows all the decadence and dismal backdrop of such private parties, where young and attractive women were recruited to look good, have fun and, by the way, take care of the well-being of the main guest. At the same time, the director also shows a man who realizes that the older he gets, the more power and influence he loses. On the other hand, we see a man who tries to prove to himself that he still has the agency and the spark that enabled him to build his wealth and reputation. One of the most poignant scenes in the film is probably when Silvio tries to persuade a random person to make an investment on the phone.
Berlusconi is not the only person in the drama here – the director pays equal attention to those who hang around the once influential politician and try to win something for themselves. For some it’s money and position, for others it’s even a search for love and stability. In addition to striking colors and the saturation of images of hedonistic debauchery, we also get moments of breath and reflection from the creators in the form of symbolic inserts – for example in the form of a sheep sometimes scrolling through the screen or spectacular shots of a garbage truck accident.
The main role was played by Toni Servillo, an actor for whom the director has a great weakness. On the screen, he is partnered by Kira. This is one of the many mistresses of the eccentric billionaire and politician. She is an important figure because she helped organize the famous “bunga-bunga” events. For this role, Kasia was awarded the Italian film award, Nastro d’Argento. This is one of the most important awards in the country.
Paolo Sorrentino is referred to as one of the greatest directors of our time. His list of achievements is as long as it is impressive. He created such significant films as “The Great Beauty”, “Youth” or the cult and very controversial series “The Young Pope” with Jude Law in the lead role. The Oscar winner returns to us with a story about the main character of the famous bunga-bunga scandal, the former prime minister of Italy, Silvio Berlusconi.
Berlusconi: The bunga-bunga affair
Silvio Berlusconi is a character with a very colorful biography, with undoubted tendencies to debauchery. Not only has he been elected Prime Minister of Italy several times – this man owns the most important media empire in his country. He created them in the 80s, but he did not stop at the media and politics.
He was also the owner of the Banca Kontrolum banking group, the national network of multimedia bookstores Mondadori and a shareholder of the Standa hypermarkets. For some time, he also owned the AC Milan football club, of which he was president. In 2008, Forbes estimated his fortune at $9.4 billion.
In addition, Silvio Berlusconi was also the hero of one of the most famous scandals of this century. In 2011, a real storm broke out around him, when it was made public that orgiastic parties with his friends, TV celebrities, models and prostitutes were held in the prime minister’s estate. According to the testimonies of the participants, the parties often ended in group sex. The scandal was dubbed “bunga-bunga” by the Italian media, and the prime minister himself was taken to court on charges of paying for sex to an underage prostitute and abusing his power. This is what the outstanding director Paolo Sorrentino decided to make a film about. He called it “They”. As Gutek Film, the distributor of the film, wrote before its premiere in Polish cinemas:
They are in power. They are cynical, immoral and greedy. They want love. They are Silvio Berlusconi, his entourage and the careerists orbiting around them, ready to do anything for money and political glory. They want to seduce the crowds. In a world where the most valuable currency is youth and sex, they are second to none.
The film “They” is available in the offer of platforms and rentals: HBO Max, Premiery Canal +, Play Now, Nowe Horyzonty, Kino Pod Baranami.
Source: Gazeta
Bruce is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment . He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
