Francesca Bertini

Bellissime

Documentary consisting of archival footage that depicts the evolving conditions of Italian women during the first half of the 20th century.

Diva Dolorosa

In this mesmerizing collage of silent Italian melodrama, found-footage filmmaker Peter Delpeut (Lyrical Nitrate) affectionately captures the spirit of the World War One-era cinema diva. In all-but-lost gems such as La donna nuda (1914), and Tigre reale (1916), superstars such as Lyda Borelli and Pina Menichelli portrayed heroines teetering dangerously between defiant indulgence in sexual passion and hysterical remorse at their own cruelties. Delpeut’s inventive celebration of Black Romanticism is both striking and heartbreaking in its composition—a beautifully woven narrative of tempted fate and self-torment, elegantly guided by Loek Dikker’s original score. Zeitgeist Films is proud to present Delpeut’s stunningly experimental work in all its heaving bosomed, luridly tinted glory.

The Last Diva

Documentary in which 94 year-old Francesca Bertini recalls her life and career while attending a screening of Assunta Spina.

1900

The epic tale of a class struggle in twentieth century Italy, as seen through the eyes of two childhood friends on opposing sides.

Una ragazza di Praga

A woman from Czechoslovakia escapes her homeland after the occupation by the armies of Warsaw pact to Italy to tell the tale...

The Suitcase of Dreams

A former silent film actor who has saved old movies of his time from destruction uses them to set up recreational performances at schools. After an accidental fire and the risk of prison, he meets a rich producer who helps him to build a film museum.

Dora la espía

Dora, daughter of the Marchioness of Río Zares, marries the politician Andrés. Despondent, Countess Zicka launches the lie that she is a spy.

Odette

La Femme d'une nuit

A lieutenant of the French navy, ready to kill himself in despair, renounces his project after spending a night with a beautiful stranger, the Princess of Lystrie.

Tu m'appartiens!

The frenetic pace of the edit was intended to match the action, based on Article 635 of the criminal code stipulating that after 20 years on the run, a penal colony escapee can regain his freedom if he evades capture by the police.

La Possession

La Possession is a 1929 French film directed by Léonce Perret.

Consuelita

Consuelita, a young woman who longs to escape the harsh conditions of her small fishing village, is married off to a wealthy, mentally ill Englishman. (Melo)drama ensues.