In Joe Wright’s Mussolini: Son of the Century, actor Luca Marinelli embodies the early political ascent of Benito Mussolini, meticulously rehearsing the dictator’s signature gestures and expressions. This eight-episode series, adapted from Antonio Scurati’s novel, explores how Mussolini transformed politics into entertainment, understanding that people crave drama over policy discussions.
Marinelli portrays Mussolini not simply as a dictator but as a skilled performer, highlighting how Mussolini turned his persona into a propaganda instrument. The show underscores the disturbing parallels between Mussolini’s tactics and contemporary populist leaders like Trump, Bolsonaro, and Milei, who use similar performative styles to engage audiences and push authoritarian agendas. These leaders, through calculated shamelessness and theatricality, simplify complex issues into digestible narratives that resonate emotionally with supporters.
The article argues that this performative approach to politics aligns seamlessly with far-right ideologies, as it fosters chaos that positions these leaders as the sole solution to societal problems. By harnessing social media, today’s leaders have even more tools to amplify their performances and engage audiences in ways that traditional politics cannot.
Ultimately, the series serves as a reminder of the mechanics behind such performances, encouraging viewers to recognize and critically assess the dynamics of modern politics.
