In 1919, when the Paris Peace Conference decided to hand Fiume (today’s Rijeka) over to
Yugoslavia, Italian poet, aristocrat, and general Gabriele D’Annunzio seized the city and
ultimately declared war on his own country. The 16-month occupation is reconstructed with the
participation of Rijeka’s residents and astonishing century-old archival footage. Winner of the
top prize at the Rotterdam Film Festival, this retelling of one of postwar Europe’s strangest
episodes is a stark reminder of how close radical and fascist ideas remain to reality.
Igor Bezinović
Igor Bezinović studied philosophy, sociology, and literature at the University of Zagreb before
completing film studies at the Zagreb Academy of Dramatic Arts. His films have won Best Film
awards in Croatia and have been presented at Rotterdam and other international festivals.
In 1919, when the Paris Peace Conference decided to hand Fiume (today’s Rijeka) over to
Yugoslavia, Italian poet, aristocrat, and general Gabriele D’Annunzio seized the city and
ultimately declared war on his own country. The 16-month occupation is reconstructed with the
participation of Rijeka’s residents and astonishing century-old archival footage. Winner of the
top prize at the Rotterdam Film Festival, this retelling of one of postwar Europe’s strangest
episodes is a stark reminder of how close radical and fascist ideas remain to reality.
Igor Bezinović
Igor Bezinović studied philosophy, sociology, and literature at the University of Zagreb before
completing film studies at the Zagreb Academy of Dramatic Arts. His films have won Best Film
awards in Croatia and have been presented at Rotterdam and other international festivals.
Yugoslavia, Italian poet, aristocrat, and general Gabriele D’Annunzio seized the city and
ultimately declared war on his own country. The 16-month occupation is reconstructed with the
participation of Rijeka’s residents and astonishing century-old archival footage. Winner of the
top prize at the Rotterdam Film Festival, this retelling of one of postwar Europe’s strangest
episodes is a stark reminder of how close radical and fascist ideas remain to reality.
Igor Bezinović
Igor Bezinović studied philosophy, sociology, and literature at the University of Zagreb before
completing film studies at the Zagreb Academy of Dramatic Arts. His films have won Best Film
awards in Croatia and have been presented at Rotterdam and other international festivals.