Eleonora Duse (1858-1924) deeply understood the potential of cinema yet was wary of it: the only moving images that remain of her are from the film Cenere by Febo Mari, not based on a classic of her repertoire but on a work by Grazia Deledda. However, the memory of her theatrical art has been passed down through generations, and Bergamasco captures the last traces of it, such as in her interview with the magnificent Ellen Burstyn, a student of Lee Strasberg, founder of the Actors Studio, who was fortunate enough to see the Divine perform live.

The documentary, which had its world premiere at the 2024 Rome Film Festival, is a journey through time, an oblique and subtle self-portrait, and a fascinating exploration of the craft of acting, blending unmissable archival footage with young actresses who engage with the myth.