BENITO MUSSOLINI - CONTROVERSIAL MUSSOLINI MOVIE TO HIT THE BIG SCREEN

A controversial film documenting the life of Italian dictator BENITO MUSSOLINI's alleged "wife" is set to begin filming later this year (07). The leader's relationship with IDA DALSER was revealed in 2001 by a local historian, who claims the pair were "married" with a son, BENITO, but Mussolini refused to recognise the partnership. The 1930s movie will be directed by MARCO BELOCCHIO, who helmed 2003's political drama GOOD MORNING, NIGHT about the 1978 murder of Italian prime minister ALDO MORO. He says, "It's an Italian tragedy, a largely unknown story which I think will cause plenty of discussion." Dasler and her son died in a mental institution after a long battle to have her marriage and offspring recognised.