Paolo Sorrentino to Explore the Life of Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi in Next Film

Sorrentino at Lincoln Center, NYC 2005

Oscar-winning director Paolo Sorrentino just launched the first two episodes of the 10-part series, The Young Pope at the 73rd Venice Film Festival. Now, he's announced that he's already writing his next project, which will be a feature film on Italy’s controversial former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, Sorrentino confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter.

Politics are one of Sorrentino’s strongest topics of exploration onscreen, as evidenced by The Young Pope and earlier works including 2008's Il Divo, about the life of Giulio Andreotti, Italy’s leader of the Christian Democracy party and seven-time prime minister. In addition to sweeping Italy's David di Donatello awards, Il Divo won the jury prize in Cannes and was nominated for an Oscar for best achievement in makeup.

Berlusconi, who is turning 80 and recently recovered from a heart attack, has been quietly retreating from the public spotlight after selling off parts of his media empire as well as his beloved AC Milan team. After decades of scandals from tax evasion to the infamous Bunga Bunga parties, his party Forza Italia is now struggling to remain relevant in a changing Italy.

The new film is expected be a nuance entry into Berlusconi's world through the eyes of Sorrentino, without being an all-out critique. Berlusconi’s company Medusa co-financed most of the director’s recent films, including the Oscar-winning The Great Beauty (2013).