The Bad Poet

Set in the mid-to-late 1930s, the narrative unfolds during Mussolini's Italy on the verge of World War II. The period is marked by political paranoia, propaganda, and the regime's manipulation of cultural icons. D'Annunzio's aging fame collides with fascist power as alliances with Hitler shape the national trajectory.

Brescia serves as the epicenter of Comini's rise within the Fascist party, framing the political context of the story. The Vittoriale degli Italiani, the secluded estate of Gabriele D'Annunzio, provides the setting for clandestine conversations and the poet's withdrawal from public life. Verona Porta Nuova Station appears as a pivotal scene where Mussolini's negotiations and D'Annunzio's attempt to influence the Duce unfold.

🕊️ Dissent within fascism

A young federal secretary questions the regime's order as he becomes drawn to the poet's charisma and independent thinking. The film tracks his gradual shift from loyal functionary to uneasy observer of fascist politics. The tension between ideology and personal conscience drives the emotional core of the story.

🎭 Art vs politics

D'Annunzio's aura of artistic grandeur clashes with the regime's utilitarian use of culture for propaganda. The Vittoriale becomes a refuge where art resists simplification, even as political power closes in. The film explores how art can inspire doubt and moral reflection in a time of coercive power.

⏳ Memory and decline

The aging poet recalls past glories while witnessing a regime he once tolerated drift into tyranny. His mental and physical breakdown marks the collapse of a cultural symbol under political pressure. The narrative frames history as a fragile memory that can be instrumentalized by those in power.