IL DIVO
Italy, 2008, 115 minutes, Colour.
Toni Servillo.
Directed by Paolo Sorentino.
A fascinating film. But, principally for audiences who follow Italian politics. Otherwise there are so many different characters, names and dates that it may be too difficult to follow.
However, Paolo Sorrentino, who wrote and directed, does his best to offer a portrait of Giulio Andreotti which, while it does not give his biography and provide a linear outline of his career, does offer many insights into an enigmatic figure who was not only a power behind the throne but, as prime minister seven times, was a power on the throne.
Long acclaimed an edifying public figure in the Christian Democrats and lauded as a devout man, accusations were raised in the 1990s that he had strong Mafia links and was connected to many deaths (including those associated with the Vatican Bank scandals). After many trials and appeals, he was acquitted of all charges.
However, as one journalist puts it in the film, how much random chance can there be in Andreotti’s links with so many deaths and so many scandals, especially bribery and corruption in his inner circle. Andreotti who seems to have rarely smiled, let alone laughed, always has a wisecrack and an ironic comment on most matters and remarked that even Jesus had Judas in his inner circle.
Toni Servillo does an intriguing imitation of Andreotti, something like a semi-embalmed automaton in appearance, manner and speaking. Generally silent, always observant, taking note of everyone and everything for his archives, absolutely ambitious, seemingly pious, the representation sometimes seems like a ‘mockumentary’.
Fashioned like a cinema jigsaw, this study of Italian politics and intrigue resembles the enquiries into corruption, a hint here, a statement there, a revelation somewhere else. Given the picture of Italian argument in the parliament alone and the lobbying and cajoling, the accusations against Andreotti could be completely true or completely false.
1.The impact of this film as a film, in style? The portrait of a politician? Documentary material? Mockumentary material?
2.Audience knowledge about Giulio Andreotti? The Christian Democrats, the establishing of the Democrats after the war, the role of Aldo Moro, the later government, Andreotti’s own seven governments? The presidents of Italy? Italian politics, factions? Andreotti as a person, politician, his reputation?
3.The background of the Mafia, its influence, murders, the Vatican Bank scandals, suicides, bribery? Andreotti accused?
4.Italy in the 1990s, the interiors of homes and political buildings? The social background? Parliament? Andreotti’s visit to Russia? The streets – and Andreotti walking alone at night, guarded by the Carabinieri? The exteriors for the murder sequences?
5.The structure of the film: pieces, a mosaic? Sufficient information? The range of characters and their development – the faction members, their nicknames, appearance, sinister presence, their discussions? Journalists and their access to Andreotti? The ambassador, the ambassador’s wife? Andreotti’s secretary and her comments? The range of incidents, the range of interviews? Going to the church, the priest and his confession? His dream confession? The interactions with his wife? The elections for president? His meetings with significant people? The trials? A coherent mosaic?
6.Toni Servillo as Andreotti, his appearance, movement, face, immobility? His silent sitting, like an icon? Quiet speech? With his wife, at the party, with the faction members? The secretary and her observations about his twisting his fingers, his ring? The advice to the ambassador’s wife and his urging her to stay with her husband? Andreotti in Russia, phoning his wife, his observations on Gorbachev, reading, praying?
7.The focus on the faction, their names, the cardinals’ presence, their advice, lobbying, betrayal and people leaving the faction? The later accusations of corruption?
8.Andreotti’s wife, from 1945, controlling him, knowing him – did she have any doubts?
9.The Mafia types, the presentation of the killers, the executions, the meetings with the heads of Mafia? Those who were repenting, confessing – and their testimonies?
10.The collages of the various deaths, the Vatican Bank associates, the early 90s and political and magisterial suicides? The critical attack by the Archbishop of Palermo?
11.The journalist, his long interview with Andreotti, the discussion about chance and God’s will? The implications that all of the connections of Andreotti to crime were not chance?
12.The accusations, his being received at the Vatican, the information about being committed for trial, the preparations, the personal effect, his setting up the arguments, the argument about the judiciary not being above government? The consequences he foretold?
13.The scene of the vote for president, the lobbying, Andreotti doing badly, standing and applauding?
14.The various trials, his evidence, the testimonies? The accusations being dismissed?
15.A portrait of late 20th century Italian politics?
