NATIONAL politics vie with family priorities in this amusing, personal celebration of new life from the director of "Caro Diario", Nanni Moretti. Moretti also stars as the anxious filmmaker who feels it is his duty to make a political film, though he actually yearns to shoot the 1950's bakery musical relegated to the backburner over the years.

As the date for his child's birth approaches, Moretti becomes increasingly agitated about the event. That agitation translates into exhilaration once Pietro is born. Moretti does a fine job conveying his alternating anxiety and excitement, as the giddiness of being a new father gradually wins out.

His disillusionment with politics and politicians - he shouts at televised speeches - gives way to an irrepressible affirmation of life, inspired by his son, and wonderfully projected into a 1950's musical. Beautiful shots of Moretti racing across the water in a speedboat and flying along the road on his scooter express the momentum he gains to carry out his labour of love.

This is a funny, heartwarming film about what makes life meaningful to one particularly talented individual.