Videocracy Q&A

Videocracy (2009) is an award winning documentary directed by Erik Gandini about the interaction between Italian television, culture and politics, and the role played by Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi in all three.
Italy’s wanna-be’s, their up-starts, show men and show women personify the greatest aspirations of beauty in Berlosconi’s Italy today. After all, having a media mogul for president for so long can ever so subtly turn the public away from each other and from truth, and towards a simpler version of existence where morality is only set by what you see in the mirror. Erik Gandini exploits his position as insider and ex-pat to make sharp incisions into the new consciousness of Italy under Berlusconi, pointing a lens at three stories that centre on the country’s obsession with fame, a sardonic sexuality and greed. Gandini’s work has borne the brunt of censorship recently after ruffling the creases in many a politician’s suit both inside and outside of Italy. So you know it’s got to be good. This is Italy from above and below the belt. This is Italy through a lens darkly.