Paolo Sorrentino: how the author of "Great Beauty" and "Young Pope" makes pictures

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

For the release of the new film "Loro", Lifehacker talks about the creative style of one of the most talented directors of the XXI century.

Carier start

Paolo Sorrentino started out as an assistant director, but quickly realized that working on the sidelines was not too interesting for him. And then he switched to scripting. He owns the plot of the film "The Dust of Naples", as well as the Italian TV series "Team". And even moving on to directing, he did not leave his original craft: for his films, Sorrentino most often writes scripts himself, only occasionally resorting to the help of other authors.

Paolo Sorrentino's first full-length film is "The Superfluous Man". This is a comedy drama about two completely different namesakes who were born on the same day. The film brought the director recognition at the Venice Film Festival and even received one of the awards. But Sorrentino became famous all over the world after the release of his second film.

What to see

Consequences of love

• Italy, 2004.
• Drama, melodrama, crime.
• Duration: 100 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 6.

Business consultant Titta di Girolamo was once heavily guilty of the mafia: he was unsuccessful in their money. And now the hero is forced to fulfill his duty all his life. Titta lives in a hotel, a suitcase with dollars is regularly delivered to him, and he forwards the money to the bank. But one day he discovers killers in his room, and from that moment on his life changes.

Director's style

Paolo Sorrentino's paintings can be almost unmistakably recognizable for some important features. Firstly, the director always very subtly works out locations and landscapes, making them almost separate characters. He can endlessly show the beauty of Rome and the Vatican, or shoot endless alpine meadows.

And the costumes of all his heroes are just as interestingly worked out. Even in rather dark plots, his characters wear stunning costumes and dresses that are more likely associated not with a broken heart or troubles, but with a fashion show.

Well, one more invariable feature of early Sorrentino films can be considered the obligatory participation of the famous actor Tony Servillo. He starred in many films of the director, each time transforming into a completely new image.

What to see

Amazing

• Italy, France, 2008.
• Drama, biography.
• Duration: 105 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 3.

A biographical film about the legendary Italian Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti, who remained in office for seven terms. Many adored him, but no fewer people hated him fiercely.

Sorrentino did not want to shoot a picture like a regular biopic. According to him, he decided to create a real rock opera. Therefore, the film about politics came out very bright and emotional.

For Italians, Andreotti is a kind of pop idol, so I approached the filming as if I were filming an Iggy Pop movie.

Paolo Sorrentino Director

Great beauty

• Italy, France, 2013.
• Drama, comedy.
• Duration: 141 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 8.

The middle-aged writer Jep Gambardella once created an insanely popular novel. He does not part with drinks and goes from one party to another. However, after his 65th birthday, Jep realizes that he has lived his life in vain, and tries to re-feel interest in his abandoned occupation.

For this film, Paolo Sorrentino has won many of the most prestigious awards, including the Oscar, Golden Globe and BAFTA. And for his unusual approach to filming Rome, they began to call him the successor of the business.

Short films

The director's career began with short films. And even having become famous all over the world, Sorrentino sometimes continues to shoot pictures lasting 10-15 minutes, in which the whole story usually fits.

What to see

L'Amore Non Ha Confini

A well-known criminal summons a hitman to determine which of his comrades has become a traitor.

La partita lenta

Part of the perFiducia series of short films, which also featured directors such as Ermanno Olmi and Gabriele Salvatores. There is no clear plot here, and the main roles were played by real rugby players.

English-language projects

All of his first films Sorrentino shot only in Italian. But over time, he still had to move on to projects. Perhaps part of the matter is in the laws of show business. But rather, he wanted to work with famous Hollywood actors.

What to see

Wherever you are

• Italy, France, Ireland, 2011.
• Drama.
• Duration: 118 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 7.

The aging rock musician Cheyenne once abandoned the stage, fearing the impact of his songs on young people. After the death of his father, the hero finds his diaries, from which he learns that in his youth he was tortured in Auschwitz by a Nazi executioner. Cheyenne decides to find the villain and take revenge on him.

This film received more controversy than many of the author's other works. However, at the Cannes Festival, even the chairman of the jury was impressed by Sean Penn's acting.

Youth

• Italy, France, UK, Switzerland, 2015.
• Drama, melodrama, comedy.
• Duration: 125 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 3.

The famous conductor Fred and the equally famous director Mick have been friends for several decades. In the summer they go on vacation to an alpine resort, where they make fun of each other and watch the love experiences of their children. But even at this age, events can happen that change the fate of the heroes.

TV

Long gone are the days when work on television series was considered the lot of not the most successful directors. In 2016, the world-renowned Paolo Sorrentino released his own multi-part project "Young Pope". Unlike many authors, he did not give the reins to other directors after the pilot release. Sorrentino shot all 10 episodes himself, and the scripts also mostly belong to him.

What to see

Young Pope

• Italy, France, Spain, UK, USA, 2016.
• Drama.
• Duration: 1 season.
• IMDb: 8, 4.

The Italian American Lenny Belardo is unexpectedly elected as the new Pope Pius XIII. He is completely different from previous pontiffs: he behaves unpredictably and eccentric. And the cardinals decide to remove him from this post.

The Young Pope received rave reviews around the world and was even praised by the Vatican. Now it has already been renewed for a second season, where the story will switch to another character - played by John Malkovich. The sequel has received the logical name "New Pope".

New film "Loro"

• Italy, France, 2018.
• Drama, biography.
• Duration: 156 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 0.

On October 25, a new film by Paolo Sorrentino, dedicated to one of the most scandalous politicians - Silvio Berlusconi - and his entourage, will start at the Russian box office. As if returning to the days of "Amazing", the director again shot a bright and provocative picture and even again invited Tony Servillo for the main role.

Initially "Loro" was released in two parts, each of which lasted about 100 minutes, but now they have been combined into one full-length film for the convenience of wide distribution.