British director Joe Wright has characterized fascism as a “global issue” and suggested that there is an element of this ideology “within us all.” Renowned for films such as Darkest Hour and Atonement, Wright described fascism as the “politicization of toxic masculinity,” asserting that it is a phenomenon that “exists everywhere.” In an interview with Sky News’ Barbara Serra, prior to the release of his new eight-part series, Mussolini: Son Of The Century, which chronicles the ascent of the Italian dictator, Wright expressed his desire to explore historical contexts, admitting he did not fully grasp the concept of fascism.
Reflecting on his upbringing in the 1980s, he noted that the term “fascist” was frequently used against any authoritarian figure, but he did not truly understand its implications. With the recent rise of far-right movements globally, he felt compelled to gain a deeper understanding of the term and its origins.
Fascism is defined as an “extreme right-wing, authoritarian system of government that espouses intolerant views or practices.” The term originated with Benito Mussolini’s movement, the Fasci Italiani, which evolved into the National Fascist Party and significantly influenced the proliferation of fascist movements during the interwar period.
When asked if the concept of fascism remains misunderstood today, Wright replied that, on a personal level, he had not fully comprehended its meaning and observed a resurgence of populism and far-right populism, if not fascism itself.
Mussolini: Son Of The Century traces the dictator’s journey from the establishment of the Fasci Italiani after World War I to his notorious parliamentary speech following the assassination of socialist Giacomo Matteotti in 1925. The series features award-winning actor Luca Marinelli portraying Mussolini and is based on Italian author Antonio Scurati’s acclaimed “documentary novel,” M. Son of the Century.
In discussing the appeal of his novels about Mussolini, Scurati remarked that the narrative is presented from the dictator’s perspective. He identified as an anti-fascist but emphasized the importance of examining the fascist elements within ourselves to fully understand the impact of fascism in Italy and beyond. He noted that this approach inspired Wright’s adaptation into the documentary series.
