“A fascist but also a good writer, a poet, a great lover.” “He was an artist and a dictator. A brute and a kind soul. So I think he was a little odd... I think he was mentally ill.” This is how Croatians today capture the dichotomy of Gabriele D'Annunzio, the poet, playwright, journalist, aristocrat, and World War I Royal Italian Army officer who invaded the small but important trade seaport city of Fiume in September 1919 after World War I. Igor Bezinović’s documentary Fiume o morte! is a fascinating portrait of the fascist figure, covering the history leading up to and the more than 15-month takeover of Fiume by D'Annunzio and his Italian army.
The title, which translates to “Fiume or death!,” was a slogan used by D'Annunzio and his followers as they took over Fiume after the city found independence following a struggle between the Kingdom of Italy and the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes (later known as Yugoslavia) after World War I. Bezinović makes the creative choice to move beyond a straightforward history lesson by hiring locals as actors to reenact archival photographs and footage from D'Annunzio’s takeover, including seven different actors portraying D'Annunzio. During the occupation, D'Annunzio’s photography crew took more than 10,000 photographs, as it was crucial to him that the occupation be remembered.
The visuals drawn from the original photographs and the reenactments stand out, such as D'Annunzio holding a sword while naked except for the flag he is wearing, or three soldiers standing shirtless with a knife in their mouth and a grenade in their hand. These images capture the strange theatricality and absurdity of D'Annunzio’s rule. Despite the creativity of the photo and video reenactments, the constant narration and the fast paced delivery of the historical information can at times feel a bit overbearing. With multiple actors portraying D'Annunzio and scenes largely recreating historical moments rather than developing fuller sequences, the storytelling occasionally keeps the audience at a distance and becomes somewhat repetitive as the film progresses. That said, Fiume o morte! highlights a fascinating historical episode, and D'Annunzio’s significance remains well worth studying.
Fiume o morte! opens at Metrograph in New York City on April 10, with Bezinović appearing in person for opening weekend. If you’re in or near New York City, consider planning a class trip for older high school or college students, or check local listings for future screenings. Recommended.
How could Fiume o morte! be utilized in class courses?
Fiume o morte! could certainly be utilized in history courses and more specifically Italian and Croatian history studies, as well as politics. Bezinović’s documentary can be used for discussions and assigned papers on fascism and how that relates to what’s going on in the United States and the world today. Studies can be extended to include research on recent far-right politicians who have won elections like Giorgia Meloni in Italy or re-election like and Viktor Orban in Hungary (Fortune) and how their countries are affected by this.
How does Fiume o morte! help students understand the rise of fascism in Europe?
Fiume o morte! provides a compelling case study of how nationalist movements and charismatic political figures gained influence in the turbulent years following World War I. The film examines Gabriele D'Annunzio’s 1919 occupation of the port city of Fiume, an event that combined theatrical propaganda, militarism, and political spectacle in ways that later influenced Benito Mussolini and the development of Italian fascism.
Through archival imagery and staged reenactments, the documentary illustrates how D'Annunzio used symbolism, performance, and media to build support and maintain control of the city during the 15-month occupation. These elements provide useful entry points for classroom discussions about propaganda, political messaging, and the social conditions that allow authoritarian movements to gain traction.
Students studying European history, political science, or media studies can use the film to examine the relationship between political myth-making and power, as well as how historical narratives are constructed and remembered. The film also invites discussion about how cultural figures - including poets, artists, and intellectuals - sometimes become deeply involved in political movements.
Icarus Films
Icarus Films
Icarus Films
Icarus Films
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