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«For the role of Berlusconi, Moretti spread the wealth: Italian star Michele Placido plays the part for a bit; a look-alike actor Elio De Capitani also takes on the role; and Berlusconi himself appears in real television footage. But Moretti reserves the last Berlusconi scene for his actor-of-choice: himself. In a chilling finale, the bearded director recites some of Berlusconi's bitterest words as he heads to a courthouse showdown. How did he prepare for the part? Moretti says that too often Berlusconi's opponents focused on his "comic and cabaret" moments. "He's never made me laugh," says Moretti. "I wanted to emphasize the danger. Italy has got used to considering normal things that are simply unacceptable for a democracy." So when the onscreen director says "Action!" and Moretti steps into the shiny shoes and mirror-windowed car of his adversary, it is pure Berlusconi — and Moretti. "I wanted to play the role without imitating or parodying," he says. The actor-director also appears earlier in the film, this time as himself. Waving away a request to participate in Il Caimano, Moretti says he's working on a comedy instead. But why in these times, the producer asks, would he make a comedy? "It's always the right time to make a comedy!" Moretti, the actor, declares. Moretti, the director, clearly did not agree.»
«For the role of Berlusconi, Moretti spread the wealth: Italian star Michele Placido plays the part for a bit; a look-alike actor Elio De Capitani also takes on the role; and Berlusconi himself appears in real television footage. But Moretti reserves the last Berlusconi scene for his actor-of-choice: himself. In a chilling finale, the bearded director recites some of Berlusconi's bitterest words as he heads to a courthouse showdown. How did he prepare for the part? Moretti says that too often Berlusconi's opponents focused on his "comic and cabaret" moments. "He's never made me laugh," says Moretti. "I wanted to emphasize the danger. Italy has got used to considering normal things that are simply unacceptable for a democracy." So when the onscreen director says "Action!" and Moretti steps into the shiny shoes and mirror-windowed car of his adversary, it is pure Berlusconi — and Moretti. "I wanted to play the role without imitating or parodying," he says. The actor-director also appears earlier in the film, this time as himself. Waving away a request to participate in Il Caimano, Moretti says he's working on a comedy instead. But why in these times, the producer asks, would he make a comedy? "It's always the right time to make a comedy!" Moretti, the actor, declares. Moretti, the director, clearly did not agree.»