THE BAD confirms it Gracescripted and directed Academy and BAFTA Awards-winning director Paolo Sorrentinowill be screened exclusively in the UK and Ireland from 8 May 2026. The film opened the Venice Film Festival 2025where Tony Servillo received the Coppa Volpi for Best Actor and was later screened in 2025 BFI London Film Festival.
Sorrentino builds La Grazia around Mariano De Santisa fictional outgoing President of Italy portrayed by Servillo. As his term ends, De Santis faces a series of decisions spanning both public duty and private life. His position places him in situations that require judgment shaped by personal values and political responsibility. The narrative follows his attempt to deal with these pressures while maintaining a connection with those closest to him, including his daughter Dorothy bagplayed by Anna Ferzetti.
The film examines themes that guide De Santis in this period. Love, doubt and responsibility define his perspective, shaping how he approaches his role and the decisions that come with it. Sorrentino presents De Sandys as a figure driven by reflection, where doubt informs his understanding of power and governance.
Fatherhood plays a central role in the narrative, shaping De Santis’ relationship with his children and his view of the present. As he moves toward the end of his term, he looks to the next generation for perspective, choosing to trust their understanding of a changing world. This dynamic introduces a shift in power where experience meets willingness to adapt. The relationship between De Santis and Dorotea provides a point of continuity within the film, grounding the story in personal exchange alongside political responsibility.
The film also deals with ethical questions that define De Santis’ position. He must decide whether to pardon people convicted of murder and whether to sign euthanasia legislation. These dilemmas place him in situations where legal, ethical and personal considerations intersect.
Sorrentino describes La Grazia as a film shaped by key forces that define its central character. Love informs De Santis’ relationships and his connection to memory. Doubt guides his understanding of political responsibility and the limits of certainty. Responsibility defines his role as a leader and as a father.
The production brings together many collaborators, produced by La Grazia The Apartmenta Fremantle companyand Number 10in collaboration with PiperFilm. Producers include Annamaria Morelli and Paolo Sorrentino, on the side Andrea Scrosati for Fremantle and Massimiliano Orpheus, Verbena Borellaand Davide Novelli for PiperFilm.
