Vincere

ITALIA, FRANCIA – 2009 – DCP – colore – 128’

Direction: Marco Bellocchio

Screenplay: Marco Bellocchio, Daniela Ceselli

Cinematography: Daniele Ciprì

Editing: Francesca Calvelli

Set design: Marco Dentici

Music: Carlo Crivelli

Costumes: Sergio Ballo

Effects: Paola Trisoglio, Stefano Marinoni

Cast: Giovanna Mezzogiorno (Ida Dalser), Filippo Timi (Benito Mussolini), Fausto Russo Alesi (Riccardo Paicher), Michela Cescon (Rachele Guidi), Pier Giorgio Bellocchio (Pietro Fedele), Corrado Invernizzi (Dott. Cappelletti), Paolo Pierobon (Giulio Bernardi), Bruno Cariello (giudice judge), Francesca Picozza (Adelina), Simona Nobili (Madre Superiora Mother Superior), Vanessa Scalera (Suora Misericordiosa Merciful Sister), Giovanna Mori (la tedesca German woman), Patrizia Bettini (Cantante Singer), Silvia Ferretti (Scarpette Rosse Red Shoes), Corinne Castelli (Lacrime Tears), Fabrizio Costella (Benito Albino)

Producer: Mario Gianani

Production: Offside, Rai Cinema, Celluloid Dreams Productions in collaborazione con in collaboration with Istituto Luce

synopsis

Benito Mussolini is the director of the Avanti! when he meets Ida Dalser in Milan. Anti-monarchist and anti-clerical, Mussolini is an ardent socialist agitator, committed to leading the crowds toward a future of social emancipation. In fact, Dalser had already briefly met him in Trent and had been captivated by him.

Ida strongly believes in his ideas: Mussolini is her hero. She sells everything for him: her apartment, beauty salon, furniture and jewelry. When the war breaks out, Benito Mussolini enlists in the army and disappears from her life. Ida will see him again in a military hospital, immobilized and being cared for by Rachele whom he has just married in a civil ceremony. Enraged, Ida lashes out at her rival, claiming to be Mussolini’s true wife and the mother of his son, but she is forcibly removed.

critical note

“(…) The scenes of carnal passion between Mussolini and Ida are beautiful, yet with a touch of brutality. The atmosphere before and after the war is also well-portrayed. (…) The actors are impeccable: Giovanna Mezzogiorno aptly conveys the stubborn and proud coherence of Ida Dalser; Filippo Timi, who plays young Mussolini as well as his adult son, is excellent. But beyond no doubt, the best is and continues to be Marco Bellocchio.” (Lietta Tornabuoni, La Stampa, 20 May 2009)

main awards & festivals

2009 Cannes IFF– Concorso Competition

2009 Chicago IFF: Gold Plaque to Daniele Ciprì for the Best Cinematography, Silver Hugo for Best Director, Actress, Actor

2009 Silver Ribbons: Best Actress, Cinematography, Editing, Production Design

2009 Globi d’Oro, Italia: Best Leading Actress

2009 Damascus FF: Best Actress

2010 David di Donatello: Best Director, Photography, Production Design, Costumes, Make-up, Hair Design, Editing, Visual Effects

2010 Uruguay IFF:  Special Jury Award

2010 National Society of Film Critics Award, USA: Best Actress

2011 Durres IF Summerfest, Albania: Attrce Best Actress

2011 SESC FF, São Paulo: Best Foreign Actress

2011 Sant Jordi Awards, Spagna: Best Foreign Actress