Loro (Subtitled)

Academy Award-winning director Paolo Sorrentino once again unites with legendary actor Toni Servillo, this time setting his sights on modern Europe’s most infamous politician, Silvio Berlusconi.

Originally created in two parts, Sorrentino’s latest work has been cut into one titanic film, a vibrant fictionalisation of the circus of people, power and politics surrounding Berlusconi between 2006 and 2009. We are subsequently immersed in the media tycoon and politician’s inner circle: the Loro (meaning Them) of the title.

Servillo’s performance was undoubtedly the jewel in the crown of Sorrentino’s sublime masterwork The Great Beauty, and the same can definitely be said for Loro. He tackles Berlusconi’s incongruous character with relish, grinning like a Cheshire cat as he comfortably takes part in raucous parties, while acting like a deer in the headlights as his scandals are made public. This magnetic performance coupled with Sorrentino’s trademark cinematic bravura makes for a powerful and alluring combination.

If you enjoyed Adam McKay’s recent Vice or are seeking a counterpart to Scorsese’s box office smash The Wolf of Wall Street, then look no further than Loro – a hedonistic fairground ride of epic proportions. (Research Owen Diplock)

The film will be introduced on both evening performances by Dr Paul Sutton, who will stay for the end of the film for a post-screening discussion in the front-tier of the downstairs seating area.