Deep Dive: Fiume o morte! (2025)
Film Lens
Fiume o morte! is a comedy docudrama that reenacts Gabriele D'Annunzio's occupation of Rijeka from 1919 to 1920. The film features present-day residents of Rijeka participating in these reenactments, providing a unique perspective on a historical event. Director Igor Bezinović, who grew up in Rijeka, aimed to present history in an engaging manner, stating that storytelling can make historical facts more enjoyable.
The film premiered at the 54th International Film Festival Rotterdam on February 2, 2025, and received critical acclaim, winning the Tiger Award and the FIPRESCI Award. It also achieved significant recognition at the 72nd Pula Film Festival, winning six Golden Arenas, including Best Director for Bezinović. The film was selected as Croatia's entry for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards, although it did not receive a nomination.
Why Watch
- •See reenactments of D'Annunzio's occupation in Rijeka.
- •Meet the actors portraying historical figures like Gabriele D'Annunzio.
- •Find out how history can be retold in a fun way.
Did You Know
•The film won six Golden Arenas at the 72nd Pula Film Festival.
•It attracted almost 30,000 viewers by July 2025, making it the most-watched documentary in Croatia since 1991.
•Principal photography was completed by mid-July 2022 in Rijeka and Trieste.
•It won the Best Documentary award at the 38th European Film Awards.
Perfect For
Historical reenactmentsCroatian cinemaComedy docudramas