Silvio Berlusconi, Italy's controversial prime minister, may be the subject of a new film.

The La Stampa newspaper reported at the weekend that a written account of Mr Berlusconi's life, An Italian Story, was being considered as the basis of a feature film - with the prime minister's backing.

The book was a charming official hagiography which explained, among other things, where young Silvio got his "sense of duty, love of hard work, and capacity for self-sacrifice".

Today's Daily Telegraph says La Stampa thinks the film a good idea because of the "enormous filmic potential" in the tale of "an actor, producer and hypnotiser". It is unclear who will play Mr Berlusconi in the film if one is made.

Mr Berlusconi was cleared last Friday of corruption charges by an Italian court - albeit partly on a technicality. On Saturday a close associate of Mr Berlusconi was sentenced to nine years in jail for his mafia connections, but the man's lawyers were expected to appeal.