La Grande Bellezza

France, Italy

Synopsis

Aristocratic ladies, social climbers, politicians, high-flying criminals, journalists, actors, decadent nobles, prelates, artists and intellectuals - whether authentic or presumed -form the tissue of these flaky relationships, all engulfed in a desperate Babylon which plays out in the antique palaces, immense villas and most beautiful terraces in the city? They are all there, and they are not seen in a good light? Jep Gambardella, 65, indolent and disenchanted, his eyes permanently imbued with gin and tonic, watches this parade of hollow, doomed, powerful yet depressed humanity. All the effort of life, disguised as specious, distracted entertainment. A dizzying moral lifelessness. And behind it, Rome, in summer. Stunningly beautiful and indifferent. Like a dead diva. www.pathefilms.com/film/lagrandebellezza

Director's Statement

I have long been thinking about a film which probes the contradictions, the beauties, the scenes I have witnessed and the people I've met in Rome. It's a wonderful city, soothing yet at the same time full of hidden dangers. By dangers, I mean intellectual adventures which lead nowhere.
 | 

Cast & Crew

Directed by: Paolo Sorrentino

Written by: Paolo Sorrentino, Umberto Contarello

Produced by: Francesca Cima, Nicola Giuliano

Cinematography: Luca Bigazzi

Editing: Cristiano Travaglioli

Production Design: Stefania Cella

Costume Design: Daniela Ciancio

Original Score: Lele Marchitelli

Sound: Emanuele Cecere

Cast: Isabella Ferrari, Massimo De Francovich, Galatea Ranzi, Pamela Villoresi, Toni Servillo, Iaia Forte, Carlo Buccirosso, Sabrina Ferilli, Carlo Verdone, Roberto Herlitzka

Nominations and Awards

  • European Film 2013
  • European Director 2013
  • European Actor 2013
  • European Editor 2013
  • European Screenwriter 2013
  • Feature Film Selection 2013