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I told you to keep quiet.

I'm praying.

Not even God will be able to save you if the Italians hear you.

When we get there, pretend you're mute.

Like an actress. Play the part of the mute.

"At the barn and by the river,

that buri...

that buried me in this mud of the trenches."

"And like lost soldiers,

we live out our incomplete adventures."

You finished?

An applause for our very own Archilochus,

for his poetry, his love for life! Go, go, go!

A true comic talent!

But now our Amphitryon has returned!

Ermete Zacconi!

Soldiers!

Today won't be yet another day of sadness and war.

Today we will celebrate life!

A woman.

A woman everyone envies us for.

Gentlemen, the Eighth Wonder of the New World,

the godmother of The Soldier's Theater,

the Divine Eleonora Duse is here for us!

And who knows, she may just give us a taste of her marvelous talent!

It's an honor to meet you.

No, no, uhm...

I'll speak from here.

My sons...

Italy needs you,

so once again it can be free

and strong.

Don't be afraid.

We are not afraid!

You will win,

and soon you will be home again.

- It's D'Annunzio! - It's the commander!

Long live D'Annunzio! Long live Italy! Long live Eleonora Duse!

Long live Eleonora Duse!

- Long live the Divine Duse! - Long live D'Annunzio!

Put him on this.

Right here.

Let yourself pass out. Don't fight it. Pass out.

Pass out.

There it is.

Press here.

- Okay. - And disinfect it.

Then stitch him up.

This tree is beautiful, isn't it?

At times I feel like it's looking at me

and judging me.

Perhaps art can save us.

Or at least comfort us.

It would be lovely to see you perform again, Madame Duse.

No, I gave it up almost ten years ago.

I don't even know if I'm still an actress.

The air here would be beneficial for your tuberculosis.

Not now, though.

Madame! There you are!

Calm down.

You left me alone in the middle of all those soldiers.

May I introduce my assistant.

Désirée von Wertheimstein.

She's Austrian.

Major Nicastrelli.

Madame Duse, it's best if you leave. This is no place for you.

If you'll excuse me, madame.

You're Giacomino.

How handsome you've become!

I didn't think you'd remember me.

How are you?

Still alive.

That was you earlier,

- onstage, reading your work? - Yes.

Good.

Good, Giacomino.

I... May I?

It's for you.

From the plane?

Gabriele.

He thinks he's God.

"No one has ever loved me as Ghisola loved me."

You keep this.

Now it's up to all of you,

you young poets.

And you, stop looking so dour. Come.

What am I going to do with you?

NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN ROME AND FIUME

Tonight I want to end this year on a high note.

I'll toast your beloved Gabriele's amazing retreat, Eleonora.

Gabriele...

just chose the wrong weapons for his revolution.

- Should he have used more cannons? - No.

He should have put his faith in poetry,

which is slower but goes farther than any war.

I'll get it.

Do you still write, Giacomino?

I try, but the words won't come.

Art is like war.

There's blood,

sweat,

courage,

mud

and discipline.

Who was it, Désirée?

What's that behind your back?

It's nothing, really.

Désirée, give her the letter.

"Nothing, really."

Show me what you're holding. What did they bring us?

I don't understand German.

What does it say?

Translate it.

The Bank of Berlin is bankrupt.

You have nothing left.

I... I don't understand. What happened to my money?

Excuse me.

I need...

I need to go...

- Madame Duse... - Oh, God!

Water. Madame!

Eleonora, I can't lose you.

Italian theater can't lose the voice

that was the heart and soul of so many memorable verses.

We could have done so many plays together.

Trains, hotels, theaters.

Ovations.

Ovations for you, Eleonora.

And with me by your side.

I know you will be strong before any illness.

But you will even be strong before death itself.

Ermete, please...

Let me exorcise this moment, please.

Doctor.

I beg you, perform a miracle.

Miracles don't require doctors.

- Is she still alive? - Yes, Enrichetta, but...

she needs to stay calm.

- Her fever... - It'd have sufficed to hide this from her.

Don't you think?

Doctor, how is she?

What can I do?

Wait.

That's all.

I'll be back soon.

Do me the courtesy of leaving the room.

I'm her daughter.

She needs me more than anything.

Mother...

I'm here.

I'll take care of you.

Come now, Désirée.

Madame!

Darling, come now, calm down.

Look.

Take this jewelry to the pawn broker.

Wait, wait.

I'll keep this one. Go on.

- Come! - Everyone is on their way.

In a moment, I'll embrace you all as well.

But for now let me be with the man who saved my life.

Eleonora...

You were right.

About what?

That will is everything.

And if we combine my will and your will,

who can stop us?

Do you want to stop us, Giacomino?

- No. - No!

And you, my friend?

Eleonora...

I don't understand.

Ermete and I,

we'll work together again.

Why are you laughing?

Because perhaps 12 years is too long? Maybe...

maybe you think that... that I'm no longer capable?

No! It's not too long.

Mr. Zacconi, tell her, it's not too long.

You mean to tell me that,

Eleonora Duse is returning to the stage like a phoenix rising from the ashes?

That's what you said.

A few hours ago, you were more dead than alive.

That was a few hours ago.

That was another time.

I felt Death brush past me.

Then I felt... I felt it slowly move away,

thanks to you.

And now I feel...

I feel so...

so free

and so alive!

I feel...

I feel alive! Alive!

I want to start afresh from where I left off.

Look, Wangel,

the Lady from the Sea has returned.

Ibsen.

Mother?

Enrichetta!

Sweetheart.

Let me look at you.

Enrichetta, it's been so long, so many years...

My darling, it's been so long...

Let me look at you.

Your health is very fragile,

and all your money is gone.

But that's not a problem.

You don't need to go back to that world of sinners.

They're all hypocrites.

- You think so? - I do.

They want to take advantage of you.

But I'm here. Come and live with us.

With the children.

How are the children?

- Fine. - Fine?

- Yes. - And Edward, how is he?

Fine.

"You can,

you want to keep me here,

but...

my soul,

my thoughts,

my desires,

these you can never bind."

"Free,

free,

responsible."

"That changes everything!"

"We spoke about the sea,

about storms and calm,

and how long the night was at sea,

in absolute darkness and...

and of the glittering colors of the waves and the beautiful days."

"But we spoke mostly of the whales and the dolphins and the seals,

who lie on the rocks in the sun."

Last night I wrote a few pages.

Just the beginnings of a piece. It's incomplete.

More an idea.

I haven't found the right moment to give it to her.

Could you do that for me?

I think we're almost there, we need to get off.

Do you think she'll get angry if I secretly turn around?

You'd best keep your curiosity at bay if you want to keep your hide.

First day.

Second day.

Is she beautiful?

Beyond beautiful.

You aren't helping matters.

Take a few steps, please, Eleonora.

Move your arms up and down.

- Up and down. - Do you feel free?

I free totally free.

I... I don't know how to thank you for this work of art.

Maybe you need to bring it up a little here.

Because...

theaters are always drafty.

- Giacomino... - Turn around.

Would you like to be the first spectator for my new Ellida?

Our first spectator seems spellbound.

He always has his head in the stars.

You can tell me everything you're thinking.

Stunning.

Madame Duse?

May I ask you to read something I wrote?

Benassi...

Benassi!

HELL IF I CARE

Stop!

Help!

Madame, no!

Guards! Guards!

Maestro.

Forgive me for that squalid scene, but I swear I didn't start it.

Good job. This is no place for faggots!

I believe you.

It's not always right to turn the other cheek.

You did the right thing, Benassi.

Pardon me.

Pardon me.

My poor, dear baroness.

You wanted to help me and they hurt you.

- I'll take care of you now. - No, it's nothing.

Oh, come on!

Can you do it yourself?

Come on, you're bleeding!

You are here to act!

To act in a play by Ibsen!

- Is that clear? - If you shout, I can't...

I will shout as much as I want!

It took me years to learn to shout without losing my voice!

Manrico, show her!

Her mother died mad too!

Great, that was awful!

Her mother was mad too.

Or just say, "she died mad" however the hell you want.

"I know that," and she points her finger.

Lines.

I know that.

I know that!

I don't even know who I'm talking about!

What? You're talking about Ellida, the protagonist.

Ellida?

You mean that armchair.

That's who Ellida has been for us these past weeks.

Have any of you seen Madame Duse?

Have you ever seen her?

Has she ever been to rehearsals?

I'm your stepmother.

What's your name?

Cecilia Rinaldi.

No.

Here.

In this house.

With these people, in this dress.

Who are you?

Hilde.

Hilde.

Is your mother dead?

Is she?

Is your mother

dead?

Answer me.

Yes.

How old were you?

Twelve.

Who told you?

- My father. - Where were you?

What did he say to you?

"From now on,

Mother will be gone."

Your mother protected you.

She protected you.

And now, who will protect you?

Who?

Who?

No one.

Your father won't protect you.

Because he married me.

I'm a strange woman.

Cold.

Unhappy.

And your father loves me more than you.

How does that make you feel inside?

What does that do to you? What do you feel?

What do you feel? Tell me.

- Anger. - Anger. Give that anger a voice.

Let it out. Let it out!

Look at me.

Get out of this theater.

Get out.

Give that anger a voice or get out.

Give it a voice or get out. Now.

Her mother was mad too. Or at least she died mad.

No!

- Or at least she died mad. I know that. - No!

- I know that. - No, start over.

I don't know why Father brought her into this house.

One day or another she'll probably go mad.

Her mother was mad too.

- Or at least she died mad. - Please!

Be daring!

I don't know why Father brought her into this house.

- One day she'll probably go mad. - Yes!

- Her mother was mad too. - Yes!

- Or at least she died mad! - Yes!

- I know that. - You know it!

- I know that. - You know it!

I know that!

- Madame... - Let's sit her down.

Bring me some water.

Take a deep breath through your mouth.

Breathe.

Good, good.

Last one.

- How's mother? - The tubercles have increased.

- The disease is running its course. - Strange, because I feel better.

I thought I'd take her to The Schatzalp in Davos.

What?

The Schatzalp in Davos.

The mountain air is definitely soothing.

They're expecting us in two days. We'll stay as long as we have to.

I have a play that's debuting soon, Enrichetta.

- Isn't your health more important? - Yes.

Later, after the tour's finished,

we'll go to your silly little sanatorium in Davos.

Stop that, Mother!

Madame, it's only reasonable for you to be concerned,

but please consider this.

In a sanatorium, without her work,

your mother's condition could suddenly deteriorate.

Listen to the doctor, Enrichetta.

She could receive treatment there.

I told you to listen to the doctor.

- Come on. - I'm at your disposal as always.

Thank you, doctor.

- I'll wait for you at the theater. - I'll be there.

Don't you ever make decisions for me again.

I learned it from you.

Go, I need to rest. That's enough.

- There, that's better. - Yes.

That's what people are saying.

There is such a thing as patient confidentiality, you know.

Right this way.

That's Mussolini!

Mussolini!

My compliments, sir.

My savior!

Mussolini, how are you?

You saved my life, Doctor Nicastrelli.

It was only an ulcer, that's all.

- You're being modest. - No.

He's an extraordinary physician!

- Mussolini. - It's a pleasure to meet you, sir.

Mussolini, please, let's leave the billy clubs in the coat room.

"Free...

responsible..."

"That changes everything!"

"...like our joy on certain summer days,

when there is just a hint of presentiment of the dark night coming."

It's D'Annunzio.

What do I care about D'Annunzio now?

The foyer is already full.

All your friends are here. The galleries are filling up too.

Enrichetta is here with the children. The whole world is here.

Why did you tell me that?

You shouldn't have told me.

I...

I can't be Ellida in front of my daughter.

I don't understand.

Send her away.

I can't. It's...

They're already seating people. People are coming in.

- It's too late. - Oh, it's too late?

It really is too late. You're right.

It's too late.

It's too late.

But actually, it isn't, unfortunately.

Enrichetta, please.

Good evening, Désirée. Will you take us to our seats?

You can't come in.

What are you saying?

We have three seats in row D.

Your mother doesn't want you inside.

I'm sorry.

Truly.

But why? She doesn't want her daughter inside?

Everyone else, yes, but me, no?

- Enrichetta... - She's letting everyone in but me?

- Your mother needs your support. - I do support her.

In a different way.

- The tension is high. She needs to stay... - Shut up.

Shut up!

Look...

Look at what you're willing to do

just to take my place in my mother's heart.

Look at yourself!

Show that woman out, the children too. Now.

Madam, I need to ask you to follow me.

It's Sarah Bernhardt.

- Who? - The great French actress.

She has a wooden leg.

Isn't your wife home?

She'll be here soon.

She went to the sea.

She goes often, even in inclement weather.

Perhaps she's ill.

Not ill.

It's her nerves,

but we don't know exactly what ails her.

Swimming brings her joy.

No one understands her here.

But they all call her "The Lady from the Sea."

You know, sit here.

Let's play a game together, okay?

It's called: Waiting for Grandma.

Look, Wangel.

The Lady from the Sea has returned.

Free...

responsible...

That changes everything!

I no longer fear you,

and I no longer desire you.

Benassi, your line.

So, it's over.

- So, it's over? - Yes.

Forever.

Goodbye, Mrs. Wangel.

You will be nothing but a memory to me.

The memory of a shipwreck.

Wangel!

You want to keep me here, and you can.

But my soul,

my dreams,

my desires,

these you can never bind.

My dear Hilde,

it's difficult to return to the ways of the sea.

Yes, but the mermaids who leave the ways of the sea risk death

or insanity.

That's true.

But they can also

get used to it.

They can acclimatize themselves,

but only

if they realize they are free

and responsible.

Bravo!

Long live the Divine Duse!

Bravo!

"And what of the talented company that accompanied the Divine Duse?"

"Fifth act, Ellida frees herself from torment,

which for her was The Stranger."

Played by...

Memo Benassi, a memo-rable actor.

Hurrah!

Long live Eleonora!

Hurrah!

Yesterday you made theater history.

The phoenix rises at La Fenice!

Sarah!

It's been so long!

I didn't see you after the show last night.

You ran off.

I don't like crowds, journalists...

No, sit, sit.

- My actors want to congratulate you. - Magnificent.

- Brilliant. - Unrivalled.

- Thank you. - You were superb.

Sit down.

And you?

What did you think of the play?

I agree with the audience. You were divine.

If you liked the play,

it's because all the actors on the stage were alive.

Watching you perform was like

walking into a world of the past,

like walking into a museum where time has stopped.

I don't want to be mean, but you were just standing there,

your hands in your poche

for two hours.

- How do you say "poche"? - Pockets.

Pockets. Her...

I like her. Her.

She can tell us of a world that exists,

but not you.

Our tradition carries on in memory.

Oh.

So not even a world war

managed to change the old, Italian theater?

- No. - No?

No, quite the opposite. We returned to the stage

because of the war, after the war,

to react to the war,

for the veterans, for the widows, for the orphans,

to give something to them after this war.

Is that your approach?

To talk about the same things as before the war?

- Love, desire, - Oh, love!

- dreams. - Oh, desire!

It was a catastrophe, do you realize that?

A global catastrophe!

And are love and dreams the same?

No.

Like in the Middle Ages?

I don't think so.

I think love changed. I think dreams changed.

I think everything changed

after this war.

Sarah.

You're right.

Can we give Sarah Bernhardt a glass of champagne, please?

You're right.

Fortuny,

this is my dream.

For the orphans of Italy,

for our youth.

Theater is my only way of responding to the war.

A temple for the theater.

I'd like us to build it together.

Madame Duse, may I put the flowers on the altar?

Over there too.

"My son,

healthy and strong,

left for a war he had not chosen,

and learned a word

he never understood,

that word is 'enemy.'"

You read them.

I was right.

You have everything it takes to become an author.

Actually, I had none of what it takes

before I met you.

I look at you

and I see all the women in the world.

You're like a riddle that torments me, one I can't resolve.

The pages I wrote...

they were the only way to fool myself into believing I was close to you.

If I find a single scratch,

it's coming out of your pay!

Dear Eleanor, how are you?

Fortuny's set is beautiful, isn't it?

I think it's exactly what we wanted,

to immerse the audience in Ibsen's drama.

It's a fjord.

Well, you know how I love Ibsen, but I...

It's gotten old for me by now.

It doesn't move me anymore.

Eleanora, I'm tired too.

Tired of the theater and its denizens,

who, after a success such as ours, come and tell us we're dogs.

Reciting our lines, hands in pockets.

This is a success because of you.

No, I just want to change plays, I want...

What play?

An Italian play.

Why are we constantly searching, searching...

An unpublished, living author...

There's one right in front of you, come on.

Giacomo Rossetti-Dubois.

Me?

No, me.

May I know exactly what we're talking about?

About this.

Author, step forward. I said step forward!

He's right, step forward, Giacomino.

How many times has your work been staged?

Not counting that castrated testicle I saw at The Soldier's Theater.

Never, so far.

- Never! - Theater...

it has to speak to today.

People need to see themselves in it.

The theater isn't a museum.

I need fire!

Words spoken by that crippled Frenchwoman.

Perhaps the crippled Frenchwoman was right.

Eleonora, I would've agreed with you

if you had asked me to put on a play by Pirandello, even D'Annunzio.

Don't you dare say "D'Annunzio!"

I'll never perform D'Annunzio again!

- Never again! - My dear...

Calm down.

Forgive me,

but this is rubbish, and you know it.

I believe in his talent.

I don't.

You have to understand me.

Otherwise, I have to go my own way.

You know what I say?

"It is excellent to have a giant's strength,

but it is tyrannous to use it like a giant!"

Sir! William! Shakespeare!

Get out of my way, you!

How's it coming along?

At least tell me something about my character.

- Can we discuss it once it's finished? - At least the plot.

Rehearsals start soon, and we're totally in the dark.

Good heavens, leave him in peace!

Stop harassing our playwright.

This is how we are. We're curious.

You were snoring.

- It's unattractive. - Like you're attractive.

Travel, wigs, costumes for The Lady from the Sea

and with the theater rental, we're at 100,000 lire.

100,000 lire of what?

Of debts.

There's something I still don't understand.

Excuse me.

You can't smoke in front of the lady.

Let him smoke. Actually, I... I'll have one too.

Madame, no!

So, we were saying...

I...

I have all these people around me giving me orders.

Anyway, as we were saying...

There's one thing I don't understand.

Why come to me to produce something for the theater?

You're the only one with the courage to take a risk, Mr. Ciarcelluti.

Your films are proof. Ashes is proof.

The cinema, of course.

Speaking of, for a while I've had a script that's...

- No. - It'd be perfect for you.

Stop, you know how much I love the cinema,

but I've realized the cinema isn't the place for me.

The only sea I wish to swim in is the theater.

But the future is cinema.

The theater is dead.

But I'm alive!

Let's talk man to man.

Saturnino, I've been a leading actor all my life,

and I promise you that for every 110 lire you invest,

you'll get back 120 at least.

Maybe, but a company with 12 actors

is really too much for me economically.

There can be 11.

There are still too many.

- Anyway, what is this... this... - ...this theater piece.

- Right. What's it about? - Go on.

So, the title is Hecuba of the Trenches.

It's just a working title.

Who the heck is Hecuba?

- She's Hector's mother. Priam's wife. - Exactly.

Hector? Another actor?

No, it's Greek mythology, Saturnino.

Well, what's it about?

I used Greek mythology as inspiration

to talk about atonement, collective mourning.

- By going... - That's not all.

- Right, it's not just about that. - "Collective mourning"?

- Let's speak informally. - "Informally"?

It lifts the spirit.

- But Madame Duse... - Eleonora.

Well, I couldn't invest more than...

50,000 lire.

Désirée.

I can put up this.

Cassandra, prophetess and Hector's sister.

My little sister...

- Benassi, Achilles. - Achilles, who else could it be?

This is for the Maestro. Is she here?

Here she comes, my doe-eyed baroness.

Maestro!

Come and see!

Gimme a hand with these props. Let's go!

Maestro, for you.

- This one? - That's it, the first one.

Pull it down.

- Who plays Achilles? - Me!

Here you go!

Are these the costumes?

- Of course they are. - They're hideous.

What are you talking about? They're beautiful.

They're ridiculous.

- This play is rigorous, traditional. - What do you know?

Have you read the play?

- This is an experimental play. - Experimental.

That's the right word.

To which I would add "necessity," Giacomino,

and "invention"

and also "urgency."

Have pity on the other dead too, Achilles.

Give them back.

The gods gave me talons

and artillery to decimate them.

But they didn't give me a vulture's beak...

- Sorry... - What's so funny?

- Why are you laughing? - Sorry, but I'm at a total loss.

"Talons," "artillery," over and over, "a vulture's beak."

Read it again and recite it verbatim.

My dear baroness, don't fool yourself. It's not me who can't recite my lines.

The play is completely unperformable.

We all knew you were stupid, but I didn't expect you to be a bad actor.

- I'll take him down! - Enough!

I can't see a thing! And what's up with this helmet, this costume?

- Calm down! - You don't need to see!

I apologize.

- Let's start over. - Can we continue?

February 17th, 1673.

The last act

of The Imaginary Invalid.

The scene of the ball.

Molière

coughs...

and a vein bursts in his brain.

But the actors...

they keep dancing.

They take him off the stage

and the actors continue,

they continue dancing

and they finish the play.

A few hours later,

Molière dies.

This is theater, Benassi.

You don't interrupt the play,

and you don't interrupt the scene.

No matter what.

And you,

Giacomino,

you should know that often

the problem

is the line, not the actor.

Benassi,

come up with another line

and we'll start over.

We'll start over.

ELEONORA DUSE AND COMPANY PRESENT HECUBA OF THE TRENCHES

Break a leg.

- Break a leg. - Same to you.

Benassi.

At least try not to be a faggot onstage.

My dear baroness.

Faggotry is necessary.

Progress implies it.

Look, son,

at the Trojan mothers

laughing

as they cry,

bringing home

the corpses of their sons.

- Let us go home too! - We want the classics!

We want our money back!

- Shh! Silence! - Shame on you!

My son,

rest in my arms.

- That's enough! - Go home!

My womb

was your cradle,

my arms

shall be your tomb.

Let us rest.

You're putting us to sleep!

Rossetti-Dubois, go to hell!

But I know

that they will recount our suffering

and that future generations will remember us.

Hurray for the Divine Duse!

Hurray for Duse!

Hurray for Duse!

Poet, are you leaving already?

- Commitments, commitments... - Of course.

You'd be better off going back to cinema.

Theater isn't for you.

Stop being an archeologist.

You're a pioneer.

I'M IN MILAN

YOU KNOW WHERE TO FIND ME

GABRIELE

Gabriele...

Gabriele...

Gabriele...

Gabriele...

Gabriele...

- The Divine Madame Duse. - Giordano.

It's been ages.

The Commander is busy.

I'll tell him you're here right away.

Please, you can sit and wait over there.

- Can I get you anything? - No, thank you.

You're welcome.

We're ready, Commander.

It's time for the revolution.

The government and the Socialists are about to surrender.

Just one word and all the squads in Italy will follow the Poet.

The ultimatum expires at midnight.

I could address them from here after I meet with my publisher.

No. From Palazzo Marino.

There's already one of our tricolor flags on the balcony.

Eleonora...

Gentlemen, Eleonora Duse, the best of omens.

The divine creature that fate has chosen

for Italy's redemption.

The only thing I'm certain of is this woman.

Would you excuse me?

Fascism can recognize those with the gift of command.

Uhm... I won't reveal these confidences of yours to Mussolini.

I never mentioned him.

See yourselves out.

What did these men want from you?

My soul in exchange for power.

One impassioned word from me.

Did you hear them?

No one can stop the Black Tide

led by The Poet!

The idea of a civil war ought to frighten you.

You could have said, "No, I won't speak to your black dogs."

I'll step out on that balcony,

but I'll say the opposite of what they want.

I'll speak of life, not death.

Their ridiculous revolt will become a true revolution of poetry, of beauty!

Not even Gabriele D'Annunzio

can change the course of destiny,

whatever it may be.

When I have won,

you will tell me just the opposite.

Gabriele...

stay alive,

at least you.

I would believe you...

I'd believe you if...

if you'd answered with just a bit of joy, a tear or two

when I made gifts rain down from the heavens just for you.

Stop it!

Today, you...

you mustn't act the part of the woman who still loves the poet.

I counted the years you refused to see me one by one!

Can you see how I've aged?

I dreamed of you.

That's why I decided to see you.

Only failure

could force you to come back to me.

Your only mistake

was to put your faith in a philanderer with two last names and no talent.

- The boos weren't for you. - Were you there?

I was hovering around.

Give me The Dead City.

No strings attached.

History has decided to reserve a place for us on Mount Olympus.

Because not even in one hundred years will your name be free from mine.

Madame Duse...

So, I... I wandered around, thinking all night

and we only have two options.

- I don't know what you're talking about. - Well, th... this is the first option.

To totally rewrite the play.

- Then rehearsals. Just give me ten days. - Stop.

The show's been put on hold.

What? "On hold"?

For how long?

There won't be anymore performances of Hecuba.

Not in Milan, not in Rome, not anywhere.

It's over.

- You can't do this to me, you know? - I can't?

No. This is who Eleonora Duse is?

She swaps Ibsen for a young author just starting,

then throws him to the audience with no chance to... to write

- or the time to... to rewrite! - No.

You had the time, Giacomino!

Look at me!

But you didn't have the talent!

And there's no Duse who can give it to you!

Not even if she waited ten years for you!

Look me in the eyes!

On your thousands and thousands of faces,

I see that you are radiating

a virile joy,

a masculine joy.

He's a great actor.

Yes, he loves drama.

Tomorrow we begin rehearsals for The Dead City.

Good.

I played Anna in my youth.

Anna is magnificent.

Now I'll play another Anna.

An old Anna.

She's a wonderful character because she's blind.

- Blind? - She's blind.

I feel blind.

Never before

has a good word had such power.

All workers must understand.

All of them, regardless of their class or type.

All of them.

Nothing, nothing can survive

without the Nation,

against the Nation!

- Ghisola... - Gabriele.

I came.

They cheer you, but they don't listen to you, you know?

It's not over. I...

I'll speak with Nitti and Mussolini

- and I'll stop this violence. - You, you, you...

I, I, I...

And we'll make Italy the...

the new Athens. I can see it. I can see it!

- The Dead City. - Yes.

- Yeah? - In fact.

- Go to Rome. - I will.

Make it a success. I mean it, make it a success.

It will be the rock on which we build our new country, I promise.

Actually, I wanted to ask you something about...

Pardon me, this is totally unrelated.

In the fifth act of The Dead City,

I wanted to ask you,

when Leonardo talks about how he killed his sister,

I...

I would like to see him kill her.

Like Othello and Desdemona.

Right, like Othello and Desdemona, because...

Because it's obscene.

Because it's obscene, Ghisola.

- No. - It is.

In this tragedy,

everything is visible because everything is invisible.

I have to leave.

Go to Rome.

Before it's too late.

Ghisola.

General strike

to defend political and union freedoms.

All trains will be suspended

until order is restored.

The strike is over!

Take this train to Rome now.

Italy needs to run.

Everyone to platform seven! Fast!

Are these seats free?

Hold on.

Maestro?

Everything okay?

We're not going to make it.

No, Maestro.

We will.

We made a mistake!

Everything's going to be all right, like always.

Combatants of the land, sea and air!

Blackshirts of the revolution and of the legions!

There's only one word

you need to remember:

win!

And we will win!

Done.

You can get dressed.

I thought we'd get the results right away.

No, it takes a few days.

But not as long as you took to come in for a check-up.

The doctor is scolding me.

I'm not scolding you,

but I'm telling you, you must take time off to rest.

- No. - No?

If I must die, I'll die,

but not strangled by debts.

- I need to work. - Are you touring now?

No, I'm in rehearsals.

Same difference.

You see...

work is all I have left.

It's...

It's my poison,

but it's also my oxygen.

It's my therapy, doctor.

My dear mother.

I stopped counting your weekly letters months ago,

but I always read them all,

from beginning to end.

Reading them, it would seem that nothing happened between us.

Then again, everyone knows you're a master at pretending.

But I've decided not to pretend anymore, Mother.

I've decided that your wellbeing is more important than mine.

So, smile.

I won't upset you with my presence anymore.

I know that you aren't my enemy.

You simply never wanted me.

For 40 years, that was my fear.

And now that you've gone back to being the only thing you know how to be,

an actress,

I understand.

Where's Désirée?

And I'm no longer afraid.

Where is my Désirée?

So I beg you, Mother.

Don't write me anymore.

Because your eyes are the only thing that gives me hope.

But after that hope, the fear would return.

And I don't want to be afraid.

Leave me be,

in the peace of knowing.

And I'm no longer afraid of losing you

because I know you were never mine.

When we read, it's a sacred time.

Let's continue.

"I can't see you."

- "I scarcely see you." - "I scarcely see you."

"You are wringing my heart. Speak!"

"You look at your sister and smile,

but an unclean thought

- flashes across your spirit." - No, no, no...

Put more truth in your confession of incest.

You look at your sister and smile,

and a thought flashes across your spirit and then fear.

An unclean thought.

You desire your sister.

It must be like spitting up a handful of nails.

Madame Duse is busy at the moment.

We just need a moment. Please, go get her.

No, I won't, she's rehearsing with her actors.

- Good day. - Good day.

The Prime Minister wishes to speak with you.

Is this a trap, sir?

It's a personal invitation.

To Palazzo Chigi.

Eleonora, refuse.

Please.

- I accept. - Don't accept.

Don't accept it.

They'll use you.

I have no idea why you wouldn't want me to do something great for our country.

Don't you care for Italy?

I'll go get ready.

Comrade, a dispatch for the administration.

Giacomino...

You're here too?

How are you?

We've already said our goodbyes.

Désirée!

Madame Duse, you know I can't accept gifts.

Yes, but this...

this is a gift I give to you so you can give it to Italy.

And what is it, a church?

Yes.

Exactly.

A temple.

A temple for the theater.

A theater waiting to be built by you, sir.

For the orphans of our fallen soldiers

and for all Italian men...

and women.

I have a surprise for you as well.

The government intends to take a series of measures regarding you, Madame Duse.

"Measures"?

I'm always afraid of "measures."

We'll see that your debts are paid off.

Well, thank you.

And that's not all.

We're also setting aside a pension for you,

a monthly sum, in your name.

You won't have to worry about anything anymore.

We will take care of everything.

And now, if you'll excuse me,

the French ambassador is expecting me.

My compliments.

- Thank you. - I...

I leave you in good hands.

My collaborators will report back to me on everything.

Have courage, Madame Duse. Together we will rebuild Italy.

Long live Italy!

The muses...

they communicated these.. these forms to me

in a death-like sleep.

My dream was very specific. I...

All I did was follow it,

because I think people should follow their dreams.

I think we all have something inside us,

I don't know what it's called, stronger than us...

Yes...

yes...

something spiritual.

Goodbye.

Thank you for the pension.

Eleonora.

See?

They didn't throw me to the lions.

- Good. - Silly you!

No, madame, don't put that on my head.

Now have a seat.

Sit on the sofa. Look, the doctor's here, he came to see you.

- What a nice surprise. - Memo, Memo...

- Come, Désirée. - Thank you. Désirée...

- Come with me. - Now we're here.

You stay calm, collected, and listen to the doctor who needs to talk to you.

No, first, I have to tell you something. I don't have any more debts!

- Good. - The government will pay them.

I'm happy to hear that.

I think Gabriele put in a good word for me.

Of course he did.

Because Gabriele... he's there when you need him to be.

And they're also giving me a pension for artistic merit.

A sort of old-age pension.

Aren't you happy?

You always have that look.

You deserve it all, Eleonora.

But now we have to talk.

Listen to the doctor, who has some important things to tell you.

Don't talk to me like I'm an old lady.

An old lady, a little girl.

It's serious, very serious, Eleonora.

- Madame Duse... - Please.

I promised I'd come by with the x-rays, remember?

No! Don't make me look.

From this moment on, you must stop fighting against your body

- and start fighting for it! - Right.

Take care of yourself, rest and nothing else.

Yes, I will, after the tour, I will.

Madame, this must become your only commandment,

now that you have no debts to worry about.

I'm saying that I'll listen to you,

but...

I'll be able to bid farewell to the stage in my own way, won't I?

I've been on the stage since I was four!

- Eleonora! That's enough! - Since I was a child!

Your company has disbanded, there will be no tour. Here.

- What are these? - Resignation letters your actors signed.

Except Memo. He refused.

Terminal illness?

And wait for death to come?

I sacrificed my life just to see her shine once more.

Just once.

- How dare you! - Damn you!

- You want to bury me but I'm still alive! - Fine, hate me!

- I'm more alive than you are! - You're digging your own grave!

You just don't get it!

- Good evening. - Good evening.

- Two tickets for Venice. - Sure.

Here you are.

What's the next stop?

Castel dell'Orso, madam.

- Thank you. - You're welcome, madam.

Giordano!

What happened?

No, nothing. Something... something unexpected.

- What do you mean? I don't understand. - It...

It's over now.

Was it serious?

No, actually, it wasn't. Nothing's ever serious.

- "Nothing's serious"? - Not with him.

Luisa!

Eleonora...

Are you here for him?

- Are you here for him? - Yes.

I'm here for him too, day and night, day and night.

He's woken up.

What are you talking about?

He was right here. He was here and...

and he flew away.

- "Like the Archangel," he said. - No...

That's... that's impossible. He wrote that he was fine.

He is risen!

Morning star, you always show up...

unexpectedly.

Sit down, sit down.

Here.

Why did you lie to me in your letters?

That may happen

over many years.

- It depends what letters you mean. - Why didn't you tell me about the coma?

You wouldn't have worried about me anyway.

What have you come to ask me for this time?

I didn't come to ask you for anything.

I came just...

just to thank you.

For what?

What do you mean, "for what"? For your intercession.

Huh?

Intercession is something saints do.

Mussolini.

Did you two meet?

Of course.

So you too

are in the butterfly net.

What butterflies?

- He even offered me a pension. - "A pension."

Thanks? For what?

Why? Why do you keep lying to me?

Even when... I know it was you who called him,

that you made him meet with me.

Why won't you accept a thank you for once when you deserve it?

I always accepted everything from you.

Your... your slaps, your spit, your thanks, your tears.

But I don't deserve any of them this time.

If that phony Ceasar buried you beneath a pittance,

it's not me you should thank.

He promised me he'd build the theater, with all the white walls.

Exactly as it was in my dream.

Eleonora Duse...

she's incapable of recognizing an actor

if he isn't on the stage.

You and I...

we'll be together again,

and you'll write new plays

and I'll act in them once again.

And then young people will come and see them.

And we'll make Italy the new Athens. Those... those were your words.

My words...

And what did he tell you?

Exactly?

Well, he... he listened to me,

f... for a long time and very carefully.

And then what?

Then he told me we'd see each other again to talk about the theater.

When will you see each other?

- I don't know. Soon. - How soon?

- It depends. - Depends on what? On you?

- On you? - Yes, of course.

Nothing depends on you or on me, Ghisola.

We're dust, dust to toss into the wind, to forget!

- What? - They made a fool of you!

They made a fool of you!

They bought you

for pennies.

Stay with me!

Grab him!

- Leave this idiotic Italy to its fate! - Get away!

- We'll build the theater here! - Get him off!

- We'll build it here! No! - Come get him!

Ghisola! We'll do it here.

- Get away! - I'll stay here and write for you!

Ghisola!

"Live now, believe me,

wait not the morrow:

Gather the roses of your life today."

I love roses.

Enrichetta...

Say hello to Grandma.

Enrichetta!

Enrichetta!

My darling.

My darling.

The children...

Nora!

How many times did I tell you to not touch your hair while eating, please.

You always used to do the same thing when you were little.

Really? I don't remember.

All the food in the hair!

Not good, your mother.

Grandmother makes you laugh, doesn't she?

It'd be nice if Grandmother were always with us, wouldn't it?

Don't you think?

Yes, it'd be nice.

I'd like to announce that Grandmother will be coming to London.

We'll all live together. All of us.

- Are you happy? - I... I'm going to London.

To London!

Mom, why is Grandma always coughing?

Why, Mom?

Because Grandma is tired and she needs to rest.

And she needs our care.

Désirée!

Désirée, where can I find their clothes?

I'm coming back. Take care of your sister.

Désirée?

Nora and Halley need to be...

What's this all about?

Pure mountain air.

Want to try some?

Parents die, Enrichetta.

It could've happened much earlier.

Or much later.

I've been burdened with your absence my whole life.

I'm tired of your noes, of you not telling me things.

I'm tired of being a stranger to you.

You're so angry.

I want you to look at me like you look at Désirée.

You

are the love

of my life.

No, no.

You

are the love

of my life!

Help me.

Help me if you want to help me.

"When Pinocchio entered the puppet theater,

Harlequin saw him and stopped acting."

"'Am I dreaming or am I awake?'"

"'It's Pinocchio, it's Pinocchio!' shouted Pulcinella."

"'It's Pinocchio, it's Pinocchio!' shouted Gianduja."

"And all the puppets backstage

climbed onto the stage."

"And Pinocchio jumped

in front, then he jumped on the head of the orchestra conductor,

and then he darted onto the stage."

"But the audience

in front of the stage got impatient and began to shout,

"'We want our comedy! We want our comedy!'"

"And then the puppeteer came out."

"A big man who was so ugly it was scary just to look at him."

"He had a long, black beard

like an ink scribble that was so long that when he walked,

he stepped on it

as he limped."

"He had an enormous mouth

that seemed to want to eat all the children."

"'You...

how dare you interrupt my show!'"

"And to Gianduja, 'What's so funny?'"

"'Well, I... I...' said Gianduja."

"'I'm here with my friend Pinocchio.'"

"'Go, get out of here, Gianduja.'"

You, Pinocchio...

I'm very happy,

because I'm roasting a nice mutton in the kitchen today,

but I was out of wood,

and you have this nice, fresh pine wood.

- I'll throw you right into the flames! - You're mad!

Stop it! That's enough!

You're mad!

It... it's all right.

It's time to get some sleep now.

It's not real, it's just a story.

It's nothing, it's nothing.

It's just... a game.

Nothing is real.

I... I'm Mangiafuoco!

You interrupted my show and you'll all burn in my fireplace!

Enough!

Enough!

Enough.

Mother...

Mother?

Mother!

Enrichetta, my little girl.

There are three things I passionately desire.

To work,

to live, to die.

Three things.

Passionately.

And right now,

the fear of working is driving me mad.

And without work,

there's no reason to live.

And dying...

You can't always die when you want to.

But there are days

when I lose my way.

I don't know how to start afresh.

But I know my home is the way through.

So, onward.

I embrace you, heart and soul.

I know you won't understand me,

and I've already forgiven you for that.

Mother.

I've never felt so cold.

In 1923, Eleonora Duse turned down the lifetime pension offered by Mussolini

and left for the United States, choosing her art once again.

She died on April 21, 1924, in Pittsburgh, during her final triumphant tour.

for Goffredo