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.
Contents
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."