Duse (film)
Duse is a 2025 biographical film directed by Pietro Marcello, co-written by Marcello, Letizia Russo and Guido Silei. Starring Valeria Bruni Tedeschi in the titular role, it follows the life of Italian stage actress Eleonora Duse prior to the World War I, and the abrupt societal changes caused by the conflict.
The film had its world premiere in the main competition of the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on 3 September 2025, where it was nominated for the Golden Lion. It was theatrically released in Italy by PiperFilm on 18 September.
Premise
In the wake of the First World War, former actress Eleonora Duse makes a return to the stage, contending with the limits of her own body as well as realities of power at odds with her utopian ideals.Cast
- Valeria Bruni Tedeschi as Eleonora Duse
- Noémie Merlant as Enrichetta Checchi, Duse's daughter
- Mimmo Borrelli as Ermete Zacconi
- Fausto Russo Alesi as Gabriele D'Annunzio
- Marcello Mazzarella
- Fanni Wrochna
- Vincenzo Pirrotta
- Federico Pacifici
- Vincenza Modica
- Edoardo Sorgente
- Savino Paparella
- Vincenzo Nemolato
- Stefano Rosato