The Caiman (2006)
Nanni Moretti's audacious political satire follows a faded producer who dares to make a film about Silvio Berlusconi — and pays the price.
The Caiman - Movie Information
- Original Title: Il caimano
- Release Year: 2006
- Directed by: Nanni Moretti
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Comedy
- Runtime: 1h 52m
- Original Language: Italian
- Spoken Languages: Italian
- Release Date (Theatrical): March 24, 2006 (Italy)
- Alternative Titles: Le Caïman (FR), 앱어 (KR), El caimán (ES)
- Production Companies: Sacher Film, Bac Films, Stéphan Films, ARTE France Cinéma, France 3 Cinéma
- Production Countries: Italy, France
The Caiman - Plot
Bruno Bonomo was a famous producer of B-movies in the ’70s. After a long hiatus, Bonomo offers a screenplay to RAI centered on the figure of Italy’s prime minister and media tycoon Silvio Berlusconi, a subject so controversial that even the public television broadcaster refuses to produce it.
Where to Watch The Caiman
Looking for where to watch The Caiman?
Compare all viewing options available in your region on JustWatch ↗
The Caiman - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Nanni Moretti
Main Cast
- Silvio Orlando
- Margherita Buy
- Jasmine Trinca
- Michele Placido
- Antonello Grimaldi
- Elio De Capitani
- Paolo Sorrentino
- Paolo Vizrì
- Giuliano Montaldo
- Tatti Sanguineti
Writers
- Nanni Moretti
- Heidrun Schleef
- Francesco Piccolo
- Federica Pontremoli
Producers
- Angelo Barbagallo
- Nanni Moretti
The Caiman - FAQs
Where can you watch The Caiman online?
The Caiman is available to stream or rent through select digital platforms in the United States. You can check the most up-to-date streaming and rental options for your region on JustWatch, which aggregates availability across multiple services in real time.
Is The Caiman based on a true story?
The Caiman is not a documentary, but it is directly inspired by real events. The film centers on a fictionalised screenplay about Silvio Berlusconi, Italy’s actual prime minister and media mogul. Moretti uses the film-within-a-film device to deliver a pointed political critique rooted in contemporary Italian reality.
Who are the main actors in The Caiman?
The Caiman stars Silvio Orlando as struggling producer Bruno Bonomo, Margherita Buy as his estranged wife Paola, and Jasmine Trinca as the young screenwriter Teresa. The cast also includes Michele Placido, Elio De Capitani as Berlusconi, and cameos by directors Paolo Sorrentino, Paolo Vizrì, and Nanni Moretti himself.
What is The Caiman about?
The Caiman follows Bruno Bonomo, a once-successful Italian B-movie producer whose career has stalled. When a young screenwriter hands him a script about Silvio Berlusconi, Bruno sees a comeback opportunity — only to discover the project is too politically explosive for any broadcaster or financier to touch.
Who directed The Caiman and why?
The Caiman was written and directed by Nanni Moretti, one of Italy’s most celebrated auteurs. Moretti made the film as a direct political statement ahead of the 2006 Italian general election, channeling his deep opposition to Berlusconi’s political dominance into a darkly comic narrative about censorship and creative compromise.
What genre is The Caiman?
The Caiman blends Drama and Comedy, functioning primarily as a political satire. It operates on two levels simultaneously: a bittersweet character study of a man navigating personal and professional failure, and a sharp, provocative commentary on Italian media, power, and the difficulty of speaking truth to authority.
How long is The Caiman?
The Caiman has a runtime of 112 minutes, approximately one hour and fifty-two minutes. The film moves between its domestic drama and its film-within-a-film sequences at a deliberate, character-driven pace consistent with Nanni Moretti’s distinctive directorial style.
Did The Caiman receive positive critical reception?
The Caiman earned broadly positive reviews, particularly in Europe, where critics praised its political courage and Silvio Orlando’s nuanced central performance. It competed at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival and was widely seen as one of the boldest Italian political films of its decade, though some found its dual narrative uneven.
More About The Caiman
Explore further details, credits, and data for The Caiman on these authoritative databases.