Italian television is notorious for both its skin-bearing programming and its reactionary politics.  The first is cause for amusement, the second a cause for concern, given the majority ownership interest in the Italian television industry held by Silvio Berlusconi, the country's leader.  Mass media have been central to Berlusconi's efforts reshaping Italy to his own financial and political benefit, and Erik Gandini's new documentary, VIDEOCRACY, examines the connections between the crass world of Italian television and the Prime Minister's rise.

Laemmle Theatres is hosting the release of the film in Los Angeles this week -- it's well worth a trip to the theatre.  "After watching, you realize that even a cursory look at Mr. Berlusconi is crucial to understanding an age in which celebrity is now the coin of the realm," says Manohla Dargis of the NEW YORK TIMES.

Find out where to see the film here.

Take a look at the trailer here.