Duse is a 2025 biographical drama 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, and in France by Ad Vitam on 14 January 2026.
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 Edoardo Sorgente as Giacomo Rossetti Fausto Russo Alesi as Gabriele D'Annunzio Marcello Mazzarella as Mariano Fortuny Fanni Wrochna as Désirée Von Wertheimstein Vincenzo Pirrotta as Benito Mussolini Noémie Lvovsky as Sarah Bernhardt Vincenzo Nemolato as Memo Benassi Federico Pacifici as Saturnino Ciarcelluti Vincenza Modica as Matilde Serao Savino Paparella as Luciano Nicastrelli Gaja Masciale as Cecilia Rinaldi Stefano Rosato
Production It was produced through Palomar, Avventurosa, Rai Cinema and PiperFilm. In co-production with Ad Vitam. In collaboration with Berta Film and Netflix. Supported by the Ministero della Cultura (MiC), Regione del Veneto, Veneto Film Commission, Regione Lazio and Creative Europe Media.
Principal photography began on 4 March 2024, shooting on location in Viterbo. Some scenes were filmed in Venice, in particular at the Teatro La Fenice. By May Variety reported that production was still underway.
Italian cinematographer Marco Graziaplena shot the film in Super16 and 35mm, using various cameras. Alongside Marcello's traditional use of archival footage.
The Match Factory opened Duse to international pre-sale at the Marché du Film during the 2024 Cannes Film Festival.
Reception
Box office It grossed $1.2 million in its theatrical release in Italy and France.
Critical responde Damon Wise for Deadline writes that the film is "handsome but very culturally specific" and seems to contain an "unintentional streak of camp."
Accolades Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Venice International Film Festival September 6, 2025 Golden Lion Pietro Marcello
See also Eleonora Duse, a 1947 Italian biographical film
References
External links