Inside Joe Wright’s Scarily Prescient Benito Mussolini Series ‘M. Son of the Century’

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As a history enthusiast with a keen interest in politics and a deep appreciation for cinematic artistry, I find Joe Wright’s “M. Son of the Century” to be an absolutely captivating masterpiece. The series is not just a historical account, but a compelling exploration of human nature, particularly the seductive allure of power and ideologies that can grip a nation.

Luca Marinelli’s portrayal of Mussolini is nothing short of mesmerizing, a testament to his acting prowess. The series manages to humanize this enigmatic figure, making us question our own complicity in the rise and fall of such leaders.

The fusion of different cinematic styles, from the gritty gangster aesthetic of “Scarface” to the experimental filmmaking of Dziga Vertov, creates a unique and immersive viewing experience. It’s as if we’re watching a contemporary political drama unfold amidst the backdrop of early 20th-century Italy.

While the series doesn’t explicitly draw parallels with modern politics, the similarities are hard to ignore. The line “Let’s make Italy. Great. Again!” is a witty nod that left me chuckling. It serves as a stark reminder of the cyclical nature of history and the enduring allure of slogans promising greatness.

I eagerly await its premiere, hoping it will spark meaningful conversations and encourage us to reflect on our role in shaping the world around us. After all, as Wright so eloquently puts it, “Just the [one line] was too good to lose.” And I couldn’t agree more!

In the opening stages of the eight-part production titled “M. Son of the Century“, Director Joe Wright clearly sets his purpose: to chronicle the ascension of the infamous Italian dictator, Benito Mussolini.

As a history buff and film enthusiast with a particular interest in the rise and fall of dictators, I found myself captivated by the opening scene of “The Young Pope.” Luca Marinelli’s portrayal of Benito Mussolini was riveting, as he conspiratorially whispered to the audience, urging us to follow him. It was a chilling moment that sent shivers down my spine, knowing the destructive path Mussolini would eventually take. The line, “Follow me, you’ll love me too. I’ll make you a fascist,” was a stark reminder of how charismatic and manipulative leaders can be, and it made me reflect on the importance of critical thinking and discernment in the face of persuasive rhetoric. It was an intense and memorable start to the series, leaving me eager to see more.

Over eight hours, the series delves into a decade of Mussolini’s life, depicting his transformation from a journalist and political outsider to leading a popular movement and creating a new ideology – fascism. This gripping drama is based on the first volume of Antonio Scurati’s acclaimed “documentary novel,” M. Son of the Century. The series reveals how Mussolini, once an editor for the Italian Socialist Party’s official newspaper, distanced himself from the left and resorted to extreme measures, including murder, to further his political ambitions.

Wright’s series isn’t just a dull recounting of history; rather, it immerses viewers in the tumultuous, violent, and electrifying atmosphere that birthed the man known as Il Duce (the leader). Marinelli’s direct-to-camera speeches, reminiscent of ‘House of Cards’, are intended to captivate viewers and make them accomplices to the events portrayed. The aim is to grasp the allure of fascism, why it captivated so many during Mussolini’s time, and why its appeal persists today.

Wright remarks, “Given his British background, Mussolini has always seemed an odd, even comical character to me. As a child, labeling someone as a ‘fascist’ was a quick, reflexive insult hurled at anyone in power, whether it was a teacher, a parent, or the police. This series provided a chance for me to delve into the origins of fascism and understand how its influence has manifested in contemporary global events, particularly the surge of far-right ideologies. The motivation behind this specific story was the increasing prominence of these extremist groups.

Known for his acclaimed period dramas such as ‘Atonement’, ‘Pride and Prejudice’, and ‘The Darkest Hour’, director Wright veers off in a different direction with his film ‘M. Son of the Century’. Drawing inspiration from the avant-garde filmmakers of the 1920s, notably the Italian Futurist movement, he employs a variety of unconventional techniques: blending newsreel footage with actor performances, utilizing traditional back projection to depict action outside Mussolini’s car, and synchronizing the most gruesome acts of violence by Il Duce’s black-shirted henchmen with a captivating techno rhythm created by Tom Rowlands, one half of the renowned British electronic music duo, the Chemical Brothers.

The Chemical Brothers’ tunes seemed out-of-place, yet they pulsed with the appropriate intensity for forward-thinkers. Many pioneers of house music and techno were motivated by these futurists. Blending the contemporary vibe of the Chemical Brothers with Howard Hawks’ gangster ambiance from ‘Scarface’ (1932) and the futuristic approach of Dziga Vertov in ‘Man with a Movie Camera’ (1929) seemed like an exhilarating method to narrate our tale.

Stefano Bises, who collaborated on the critically acclaimed Italian crime series “Gomorrah” with Wright and Davide Serino, describes “M. Son of the Century” as a depiction of a towering, intelligent, captivating coward. This character’s motivation is clear, and for a brief moment, you might even find yourself sympathizing with him. However, this sympathy quickly turns into regret and sadness.

In my gaming world, some critics have taken issue with Antonio Scurati’s novel for giving human emotions to Mussolini, a critique that could potentially apply to Wright’s series as well. In Marinelli’s portrayal of Il Duce, he’s almost unidentifiable due to his bald head and a bit more round shape, earned from “plenty of cake and pasta.” Yet, the Italian actor manages to keep that magnetic charm alive.

Wright contends that it’s potentially harmful to portray figures such as Mussolini in a way that strips them of their humanity. He recalls a time when President George W. Bush discussed the atrocities at Abu Ghraib, and referred to the perpetrators as individuals with darkness within them rather than people. Bush labeled them monsters, implying they were not human, which effectively shifted blame away from himself and others. Wright argues that it’s crucial for us all to acknowledge our role in these characters’ rise to power, by understanding and accepting responsibility for their actions.

As someone who closely follows world history and political developments, I find a striking resemblance between the character of Wright’s Mussolini and a certain president-elect. Mussolini, a larger-than-life figure with a knack for media manipulation, managed to captivate an entire nation. This same charisma seems to have been mirrored by our recent president-elect. The phrase that seals the deal is particularly telling: “Let’s make Italy great again!” This echoes the slogan of the president-elect: “Make America Great Again.” Both phrases, in their simplicity and appeal to a sense of national pride, are designed to evoke strong emotions and rally support for their respective agendas. It’s concerning to see history repeating itself in this way, as both Mussolini and our current president-elect have used populist rhetoric to consolidate power and pursue divisive policies that often harm marginalized communities. As a historian, I cannot help but draw parallels between the two leaders and caution against the dangers of blindly following charismatic figures who promise quick fixes for complex problems.

According to Wright, at some stage, the script contained numerous references to modern-day politics and politicians, but we chose to remove them all. We trust that our audience is astute enough to make their own connections. The single line was simply too compelling to discard, so we gave in to temptation with that particular instance.

As a fervent admirer, I’m thrilled to share that “M. Son of the Century” is a joint production between Fremantle’s subsidiary The Apartment, Fremantle themselves, Sky (owned by Comcast), Cinecittà, Pathé, and Small Forward Productions. This epic series will first grace our screens on Sky across Europe in the spring of 2025. As for its U.S. debut, we’ll just have to wait and see!

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2024-12-31 15:25