Director Joe Wright on 'global problem' of fascism and what can be learnt from 'deeply flawed' Mussolini

26 January 2025, 12:12 | Updated: 26 January 2025, 14:45

British director Joe Wright has said fascism is a "global problem" and there is a sense of the ideology "within us all".

Wright, who is best known for films including Darkest Hour and Atonement, described fascism as the "politicisation of toxic masculinity" which he said "exists everywhere".

Speaking to Sky News' Barbara Serra ahead of the launch of his new eight-part series, Mussolini: Son Of The Century - which documents the rise of the Italian dictator - Wright said he was interested in delving into history as he didn't fully understand the meaning of fascism.

"Growing up in the 80s, the word fascist was bandied about and was used against any authoritarian figure, but I don't think I really understood what it meant," he said.

"Then with the spread of the far right across the world recently, I felt it was my responsibility to really understand what the word really meant and where it came from."

Fascism, by dictionary definition, is an "extreme right-wing, authoritarian, system of government that holds intolerant views or practices".

The term was first used by members of Benito Mussolini's movement, the Fasci Italiani organisation, which transitioned into the National Fascist Party and largely inspired the international spread of fascist movements during the interwar period.

When asked if concepts of fascism are still misunderstood today, Wright replied: "I can only talk personally, but I really didn't understand what the word meant, and I do think we are seeing a resurgence, if not of fascism but certainly of popularism and far right populism."

Mussolini: Son Of The Century follows the story of the dictator from founding the Fasci Italiani organisation after the First World War to his infamous speech in parliament following the murder of socialist Giacomo Matteotti in 1925.

Starring award-winning actor Luca Marinelli as Mussolini, the series is an adaptation of Italian author Antonio Scurati's best-selling "documentary novel" of the same name, M. Son of the Century.

When asked what is behind the popularity of his novels on the dictator, Mr Scurati told Sky News: "Probably because the story is told from [Mussolini's] side.

"I am an anti-fascist, but I believe in order to understand deeply what fascism has been in my country and elsewhere, it is necessary to look deeply at the fascist inside us.

"That's how I conceived my novels, in the same way Wright brilliantly brought the idea into this documentary."

He said that he believes many elements of fascism still live on, with the defining feature being when "fear prevails over the hope of democracy".

He added: "Mussolini was the master of politics of fear. He came from the Socialist Party, which was party of hope, and he was kicked out. Then he bet everything on fear, and that can happen again."

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Wright added that he understood the fascist history of Italy is a "very contentious and emotional issue" for a lot of people, but agreed with Mr Scurati that he thinks there is a "sense of fascism within all of us".

"What I discovered was that fascism is a politicisation of toxic masculinity and that exists everywhere, global responsibility and global problem," he said.

Asked how he would describe the Mussolini he had created for the series, the director said: "A deeply flawed human being."

Mussolini: Son Of The Century will debut on 4 February exclusively on Sky Atlantic and stream on NOW in the UK.

(c) Sky News 2025: Director Joe Wright on 'global problem' of fascism and what can be learnt from 'deeply flawed' Mussolini