‘Hand of God’ Director Paolo Sorrentino: ‘Being an Oscar Candidate for a Second Time Means the First Time Wasn’t Just a Fluke’

variety.com:

Nick Vivarelli International CorrespondentIn a new series, Variety catches up with the directors of the films shortlisted for the International Feature Oscar to discuss their road to the awards, what they’ve learned so far, and what’s taken them off guard.Paolo Sorrentino, who won an international Oscar for “The Great Beauty” in 2014, is back in contention with autobiographical film “The Hand of God,” which marks the director’s return to filmmaking in his native Naples 20 years after his debut, “One Man Up.”This Netflix Italian original film is the story of a goofy kid named Fabietto who starts harboring a passion for filmmaking in the tumultuous Naples of the late 1980s.

As Sorrentino has put it, “it’s a tale of destiny and family, of sport and cinema, love and loss.” It’s a great honor and a great responsibility to represent my country once again.

Being a candidate for the second time fills me with joy because it means that the first time wasn’t just a fluke. This second candidacy indicates continuity in my work and a standard that is at the very least dignified.The Oscar campaign is very stimulating and fun.

But at the same time, it’s tiring and a lot of work. You travel a lot, and change places real fast. The most complicated part this year, alas, has to do with limitations due to the pandemic.