The mainstream feature film “Diva Futura” premiered this week at the Venice Film Festival, offering a look at four decades of the Italian adult industry. The film centers on the history of the Italian adult agency Diva Futura, a joint venture by Riccardo Schicchi and Ilona Staller, known as Cicciolina.

Film Overview and Narrative

“Diva Futura,” directed by Giulia Louise Steigerwalt, is a mainstream fiction film that explores the Italian adult industry over four decades. The narrative focuses on the adult agency Diva Futura, co-founded by industry veteran Riccardo Schicchi and Hungarian-Italian Ilona Staller, who performed as Cicciolina. Staller is also recognized as a renowned adult performer and celebrity politician.

The film’s perspective is narrated through Riccardo Schicchi, utilizing Debora Attanasio’s memoir, “Don’t Tell Mom I’m a Secretary,” as source material. Pietro Castellitto portrays Schicchi, while Eva Henger portrays Cicciolina. The film further develops Schicchi’s story by exploring his relationships with Moana, Attanasio, and Eva Henger.

IndieWire’s Leila Latif, who attended the debut Venice Film Festival screening of “Diva Futura,” commented on Steigerwalt’s filmmaking. Latif noted that the film’s “sun-dappled warmth and sumptuous compositions” reflect the agency’s aim to find beauty in what was deemed grotesque by moral arbiters of the era. Latif also highlighted Steigerwalt’s focus on depicting Schicchi’s vision for his company as originating from a desire to make its subjects “beautiful forever.” This vision was further strengthened when Schicchi and Attanasio rejected the market’s demand for more brutal content.

The Hollywood Reporter described “Diva Futura” as a comic-tragic feature that pays tribute to the Italian adult entertainment empire and its founders and workers. The publication drew comparisons to Paul Thomas Anderson’s “Boogie Nights” (1997), noting that while “Diva Futura” is messier, it has its moments and strong performances. The review also mentioned that many characters, such as La Cicciolina (portrayed by Lidija Kordic) and Moana Pozzi (portrayed by Denise Capezza), correspond to real-life figures.

Industry Figures and Portrayals

The film features portrayals of several key figures from the Italian adult industry. Riccardo Schicchi, an industry veteran, is depicted by Pietro Castellitto. Ilona Staller, known professionally as Cicciolina, is portrayed by Eva Henger. Staller is recognized as a Hungarian-Italian adult performer and celebrity politician. The film also develops Schicchi’s story through his relationships with Moana, Debora Attanasio, and Eva Henger.

Debora Attanasio’s memoir, “Don’t Tell Mom I’m a Secretary,” serves as source material for the film’s narration from Schicchi’s perspective. The film’s exploration of these relationships contributes to its depiction of four decades in the Italian adult industry.

Distribution and Critical Reception

“Diva Futura” is currently seeking international distribution following its premiere at the Venice Film Festival. The film has garnered attention for its portrayal of the Italian adult industry and its central figures.

Leila Latif of IndieWire described the film as a “biopic of a pioneering pornographer” that is “darkly funny and surprisingly sweet.” Latif’s review, published on September 4, 2024, highlighted the film’s approach to depicting the industry through “rose-tinted glasses.” The Hollywood Reporter, in its review, characterized the film as a “messy but well-acted celebration of the golden age of an Italian porn empire.”

Key Facts

  • “Diva Futura” premiered this week at the Venice Film Festival.
  • The film depicts four decades of the Italian adult industry.
  • Giulia Louise Steigerwalt directed “Diva Futura.”
  • The film centers on the adult agency Diva Futura, a joint venture by Riccardo Schicchi and Ilona Staller (Cicciolina).
  • Pietro Castellitto portrays Riccardo Schicchi, and Eva Henger portrays Cicciolina.
  • Debora Attanasio’s memoir, “Don’t Tell Mom I’m a Secretary,” is used as source material.
  • “Diva Futura” is currently seeking international distribution.