Vincere - inter-text-ures

Vincere 12/29/2009

Poster for Vincere, a fim by Marco Bellocchio

A passionate tale of love and betrayal, made more riveting by Giovanna Mezzogiorno's portrayal of Ida Dalser, Mussolini's first wife who was abandoned by him and ultimately locked up for life in a mental institution.

Filippo Timi, who plays the role of Benito Mussolini and his son by Ida, also provides an outstanding performance in his role of Il Duce, which he later caricatures -- in his role as the grown-up son of Ida -- mimicking Mussolini rallying the troops and citizens.

As the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) puts it, the combination of "drama, archive footage, and music creating a highly cinematic oratorio of enormous emotional force" (synopsis) sets the heroic tone of the movie.

And, at the movie's end, makes the audience wanting for more.