Fiume o morte! — Rijeka, D’Annunzio and the 1919 occupationCEFR A2
13 Apr 2026
Adapted from Metamorphosis Foundation, Global Voices • CC BY 3.0
Photo by Marjan Blan, Unsplash
Igor Bezinović’s film looks at the 1919 occupation of Rijeka by Gabriele D’Annunzio. It is a co‑production of Croatia, Italy and Slovenia and mixes documentary evidence with comedy.
The director used more than 10,000 archival photographs and many old film recordings. Around one hundred non‑professional actors and extras dramatize events from the years after the First World War and show public rituals and marches.
D’Annunzio entered Rijeka on September 11, 1919 and declared the Italian Regency of Carnaro. Italian forces later forced his legionnaires to leave in January 1921.
Difficult words
- occupation — When one country takes control of another country.
- co‑production — A film made by companies from two or more countries.
- archival — Relating to old records or historical documents.
- dramatize — To show events as acted scenes or performances.
- regency — A government period when a regent rules instead of monarch.
- legionnaire — A soldier who is a member of a legion.legionnaires
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Would you like to watch a film that mixes documentary and comedy? Why?
- Why do you think the director used many archival photographs?
- How can actors and extras help tell a historical story in a film?
