The Caiman

Directed by Nanni Moretti, this 2006 Italian-French satirical comedy-drama takes aim at the era of Silvio Berlusconi. Bruno Bonomo is a film producer whose professional and private life are both falling apart when a screenplay called "The Caiman" lands in his hands — a script about Berlusconi's rise and his years in power. Bruno sees it as the chance to rescue his career and throws himself into getting the picture made, only to find the project pulling him into a tangle of political pressure and personal crisis. Starring Silvio Orlando, Margherita Buy and Jasmine Trinca, the film opened in Italy shortly before the 2006 general election, in which Berlusconi was defeated, and became one of the year's biggest domestic successes. It competed for the Palme d'Or at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival and won the David di Donatello award for Best Film. Moving beyond the familiar image of the former prime minister and Milan club owner, Moretti offers a pointed yet ironic look at recent Italian history.