Paolo Sorrentino’s ‘La Grazia’ Wins Top Prize at Venice Film Festival, Sparks Euthanasia Debate
Paolo Sorrentino’s latest film, La Grazia, premiered at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on August 27, 2025 and quickly garnered critical acclaim. The Italian drama, starring Toni Servillo, Anna Ferzetti, and Massimo Venturiello, explores complex moral and political questions surrounding euthanasia and presidential pardons. Servillo’s performance earned him the Volpi Cup for Best Actor at the festival.
Plot Summary
La Grazia (translated as “The Pardon”) centers on Mariano De Santis, the President of Italy, a devout Catholic and experienced jurist. As he enters the final months of his term – known as the “white semester” – De Santis faces a pivotal decision: whether to sign a bill into law that would legalize euthanasia. Simultaneously, he must weigh the pardon requests of two individuals convicted of murdering their partners. The film delves into the president’s internal conflict as he grapples with his personal beliefs, legal obligations, and the weight of his office.
Cast
- Toni Servillo as President Mariano De Santis
- Anna Ferzetti as Dorotea De Santis
- Massimo Venturiello as Minister of Justice Ugo Romani
- Orlando Cinque as Colonel Massimo Labaro
- Milvia Marigliano as Coco Valori
- Giuseppe Gaiani as General Lanfranco Mare
- Giovanna Guida as Valeria Cafiero
- Simone Colombari as Prime Minister Giulio Malerba
- Alessia Giuliani as Maria Gallo
- Roberto Zibetti as Domenico Samaritano
- Linda Messerklinger as Isa Rocca
- Vasco Mirandola as Cristiano Arpa
- Rufin Doh Zeyenouin as the Pope
- Guè as himself
Release Information
La Grazia had its world premiere at the Venice International Film Festival on August 27, 2025. It was released theatrically in Italy on January 15, 2026. The film’s running time is 133 minutes. As of its release, the film has grossed $3.2 million [1, 2, 3].
Production Details
The film is a production of Fremantle, The Apartment Pictures, and Numero 10, and is distributed by PiperFilm and Warner Bros. Entertainment Italia. Paolo Sorrentino wrote and directed La Grazia, with cinematography by Daria D’Antonio and editing by Cristiano Travaglioli.
Themes and Reception
La Grazia has been praised for its nuanced exploration of ethical dilemmas and its compelling portrayal of power and responsibility. The film’s focus on the controversial topic of euthanasia has sparked debate and discussion among audiences and critics alike. Sorrentino’s direction and Servillo’s performance have been particularly lauded, solidifying the film’s position as a significant work in contemporary Italian cinema.