MUBI has acquired the acclaimed eight-part drama series Mussolini: Son of the Century for North America, Latin America, Belgium, Luxembourg, Turkey, India and New Zealand in a multi-territory deal with Fremantle.
Directed by BAFTA-winning Joe Wright (Pride & Prejudice, Atonement, Darkest Hour), starring Luca Marinelli (Martin Eden, The Eight Mountains, The Old Guard) as Benito Mussolini and written by Stefano Bises (Gomorrah – The Series, The New Pope, ZeroZeroZero) and Davide Serino (1992, 1993, The King), the series is based on the bestselling book by Antonio Scurati and follows the rise to power of the infamous Italian political figure, Benito Mussolini, and the birth of fascism in Italy.
Premiered at the 81st Venice Film Festival, Mussolini: Son of the Century is a scathing contemporary portrait of Mussolini and his political rise, from the formation of the irregular militia of the Fasces of Combat to the imposition of the most ferocious dictatorships Italy has ever known.
Joe Wright said: “This series was a chance to explore how charisma and chaos can coexist in a single man—and how that dangerous combination can reshape a nation. Luca Marinelli brings Mussolini’s volatility and magnetism to terrifying life. It was a privilege to work with such an extraordinary team on a story that feels both historical and disturbingly timeless. MUBI is the perfect home for the series — a platform that embraces daring, intelligent storytelling and treats its audience as collaborators in the experience.”
Christian Vesper, CEO Global Drama & Film, Fremantle, said: “It was really important to us that we found the right partner to help us expand the reach of Mussolini: Son of the Century and I’ve no doubt that’s exactly what we’ve got in MUBI. I can’t think of a better pair of hands to nurture and celebrate this extraordinary series and help us tell this important story.”
Efe Cakarel, Founder & CEO, MUBI, said: “Fearless storytelling has always been at the heart of MUBI, and no one embodies it more vividly than Joe Wright. With Mussolini: Son of the Century he transforms history into pulse-quickening drama — elevated by Luca Marinelli’s searing performance — and proves how the screen can both unsettle and enlighten. We’re honored to bring this extraordinary series to audiences around the world.”
Mussolini: Son of the Century is produced by Sky Studios and Lorenzo Mieli for The Apartment Pictures, a Fremantle company, in co-production with Pathé, in association with Small Forward Productions, in collaboration with Fremantle, Cinecittà S.p.A., and Sky. Fremantle handles global sales.
Upcoming MUBI and Fremantle co-productions include Jim Jarmusch’s Father Mother Sister Brother and Karim Aïnouz’s Rosebush Pruning.
