The story of Italian cinema under Fascism, a sophisticated film industry built around the founding of the Cinecittà studios and the successful birth of a domestic star system, populated by very peculiar artists among whom stood out several beautiful, magnetic, special actresses; a dark story of war, drugs, sex, censorship and tragedy.

In the decadent Roaring Twenties, a beautiful woman engages in affairs with two men, playing them against each other.

An Italian Air Force officer is pursued and captured by the Allied police and is charged with the bombing of a hospital ship. Through the efforts of his sweetheart, a witness is found who proves the bombing was not intentional but the result of being hit by enemy fire. A four-way romantic involvement is also part of the mix that includes an Allied officer and Viennse beauty Lida. The latter was once in love with the accused and has a child by him.

A smuggler has to skip town at avoid the pursuing police. The he returns, he falls for the daughter of his disapproving boss - and soon he has murder in mind

After attending to a suicidal young man, Dr Richard learns that his wife has been unfaithful for years. This comes as a shock after 10 years of supposedly happy marriage. Back home, he demands answers from Madeleine. A long night of explanations ensues.

Marco, returning home to Livorno after having spent eight years in prison, finds his wife Giovanna married to another man, who the son believes is his real father. He decides to commit suicide but then he meets Elisa, who dissuades him and he begins to live with her and her father.

A cabaret singer, now a widow, is dethroned and expelled downstairs by a fiery rival.

Producers of phony currency become the object of a crackdown by law enforcement agencies.

During the absence of her husband, who left for a fishing cruise in the seas of China, Carmela falls under the spell of Vito, a young fisherman.

A host of college girls take different life paths in the Italy of the 1930s.

In 1893, on an island in the Strait of Sicily, a woman is beginning to go crazy due to an officer that she loved leaving. When she believes a newly arrived official to be the man that left her, he plays along.

The Italian troops at Giarabub defend themselves against the British.

Released from jail, Nanni punches prison guard Stefano who has denounced him. In order to take revenge, Stefano suggests the suspicion that, during his absence, his wife has had business with the Count Paolo. A few days later, at night, a deadly ambush will be prepared. Based on the novel The Trap (1928) by Toscan Delfino Cinelli.

Based on a Victor Hugo play, and scored with music from the later opera by Giuseppe Verdi, the film tells about a hunchbacked clown whose beautiful daughter falls in love with the lecherous king.

Venice Film Festival 1940

This film was not based on the famous one-act opera of Pietro Mascagni but rather on the original story by the Sicilian writer Giovanni Verga. It's the story of Santuzza, her love Turiddu, and his passion for the married Lola that leads to his death in a duel when Lola's husband Alfio exacts satisfaction.

Venice Film Festival 1938

Directed by Romolo Marcellini.

A femme fatale falls in love with a Venetian count, implacable enemy of Selim, who pursues his sister with his diligence. This one makes stop and condemn to death the count who made an attempt on his life. Then he offers the woman her father's salvation in exchange for her favors. A snake kills him, the count is shot and the woman finally takes the veil.

Lieutenant Mario Ludovici, an army officer, gets himself transferred to a Libyan post when his romance with society girl Cristiana goes on the rocks. Ludovici is looked upon as a weakling by Captain Santelia, the hard-boiled commander of the troops, but after a bitter campaign against a rebel tribe Ludovici proves his true worth and returns as commander when Santelia is mortally wounded. Cristiana arrives and tries to entice him to return to Rome, but he decides to stay in Africa with the army.

Ginevra degli Almieri's family has arranged a marriage of interest but the young Ginevra strenuously refuses until she falls into catalepsy and is buried alive. Once she wakes up she goes home but her family believes they are dealing with a ghost and they try to chase her away. She will only be welcomed by the penniless young painter who has always been in love with her.