The Croatian city of Rijeka rediscovers its own forgotten history in this delightfully unconventional hybrid documentary. In 1919, the decadent Italian poet, lothario, general, and proto-fascist Gabriele D’Annunzio takes great interest in the city known in Italian as Fiume — occupying it and proclaiming himself ruler. His short-lived regency causes an international uproar and local consternation before his ouster. In the present, director Igor Bezinović invites hundreds of locals to take part in a new documentary, turning the film into a citywide occasion of participation and collective storytelling.
A shifting, protean film, Fiume o Morte! moves between absurdist re-enactments and documented record. From whimsical sight gags to a sobering examination of fascism, Bezinović plays with history, inviting the viewer to laugh at the seams between history and invention while recognizing D’Annunzio’s self-aggrandizing vision of rule as an absurd act of invention in itself. This is a charming tour de force of cinematic storytelling that brings a truly fascinating piece of forgotten history to life.
Igor Bezinović
Izet Medošević, Ćenan Beljulji, Albano Vučetić, Tihomir Buterin, Andrea Marsanich, Massimo Ronzani
Croatia/Italy/Slovenia
2025
In Croatian and Italian with English subtitles
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Credits
Producer
Vanja Jambrović, Tibor Keser
Screenwriter
Igor Bezinović
Cinematography
Gregor Božič
Editor
Hrvoslava Brkušić
Production Design
Anton Spazzapan, Tiziana De Mario
Original Music
Giovanni Maier, Hrvoje Nikšić
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