Mubi has acquired the Joe Wright-directed 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.
Based on Italian author Antonio Scurati’s bestselling novel “M” which traces the birth of Fascism in Italy, the eight-part series reconstructs Mussolini’s ascent with an innovative approach. Luca Marinelli (“The Eight Mountains,” “Martin Eden”) plays the despotic leader during the period between 1919, when he founded the fascist party in Italy, and 1925 when – having gained power with the 1922 March on Rome – Mussolini made an infamous speech in the Italian Chamber of Deputies declaring himself a dictator.
“Mussolini: Son of the Century” launched last year from the Venice Film Festival where Wright called the show a “howl against the current rise of the Far-Right.” It subsequently played to positive notice on Sky in Italy and the U.K.
“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,” Wright said in a statement. “Luca Marinelli brings Mussolini’s volatility and magnetism to terrifying life,” he added, further noting that Mubi “is the perfect home for the series—a platform that embraces daring, intelligent storytelling and treats its audience as collaborators in the experience.”
Commented Christian Vesper, Fremantle’s CEO global drama and film: “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.”
Mubi founder and CEO Efe Cakarel 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.”
The acquisition adds to Mubi’s growing focus on presenting series alongside films on the streaming platform, the company noted. Previous exclusive series on Mubi include Wiliam Kentridge’s “Self Portrait as a Coffee Pot” and Lars von Trier’s “The Kingdom” Trilogy.
“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 is handling global sales.
