Bellissima

1h 54m
- Drama

Release Date: May 1, 2026 | Limited

7.7

A woman from the lower class desperately tries to get her daughter into the movies.

Releases

Original Release | May 1, 2026

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Box Office Results

Updated as of May 08, 2026 11:08 AM ET

Results

Opening Weekend US & Canada:
$6,800
Total US & Canada:
$6,800
Total Worldwide:
$6,800

Current Showtimes

orround

Sun May 10
Mon May 11
Tue May 12
Wed May 13
Thu May 14
Fri May 15
Sat May 16

Director & Top Cast

Luchino Visconti
Director

Anna Magnani
Maddalena Cecconi

Walter Chiari
Alberto Annovazzi

Tina Apicella
Maria Cecconi

Gastone Renzelli
Spartaco Cecconi

Tecla Scarano
Tilde Spernanzoni

Lola Braccini

Photographer's Wife

Arturo Bragaglia

Photographer

Nora Ricci

Laundry Worker

Vittorina Benvenuti

Actor

Linda Sini

Mimmetta

Teresa Battaggi

Snob Mother

Gisella Monaldi

Door-keeper

Amalia Pellegrini

Actor

Luciana Ricci

Actor

Giuseppina Arena

Actor

Liliana Mancini

Iris

Alessandro Blasetti

Self

Technical Specifications

Aspect Ratio: 1.37 : 1

Other Details

Country of Origin: Italy

Language: Italian

Summaries

Storyline

Film director Blasetti is looking for a little girl for his new movie. Along with other mothers, Maddelena takes her daughter to Cinecittà, hoping she'll be selected and become a star. She is ready to sacrifice anything for little Maria, even if her husband would prefer they save their little money for the rent instead of paying teachers, hairdressers, or bribes for her illusions. — Yepok From the slums of Rome, Maddalena Cecconi, a struggling working-class mother with aspirations of catapulting her five-year-old daughter Maria to the dazzling world of the silver screen, descends to the famous studios of Cinecittà after a casting call by director Blasetti for Rome's most beautiful girl. Determined to help her daughter stand out from the hordes of the ambitious contestants, the worried mother willingly becomes the prey of a motley crew of teachers and expert professionals who all guarantee her positive results--for the right amount of money, of course. Before long, the family's scant savings has been squandered here and there. Is a pot of gold really at the end of the rainbow for La Bellissima? — Nick Riganas Italy, post-war Rome, is the heyday of Italian neorrealist cinema. Producers and directors are searching for real people to star in their films. Aspiring actors-men, women, children, adults, the elderly-all hope for immediate fame and fortune by making a film with Rossellini or De Sica. Aerial views of Cinecittà show groups of mothers rushing their children to screen tests. This is how we first see a mother, Maddalena Cecconi (Anna Magnani), hopeful about the success of her seven-year-old daughter, Maria (Tina Apicella), who is plain-looking, lacks talent, and has a clear disinterest in film. Alessandro Blasetti (himself) has called for casting calls to select the most beautiful girl to star in his next film. Pathetically, the hopefuls parade before Blasetti, displaying their skills and shortcomings, the only interest of the production team being how they look on screen. Among the surrounding characters is Alberto Annovazzi (Walter Chiari), a self-important charlatan who promises success in exchange for favors and financial compensation. Maddalena wants access to the family savings, a move her husband Spartaco Cecconi (Gastone Renzelli) unsuccessfully opposes. Maddalena doesn't hesitate to hand over all the money to Alberto in order to secure the lead role for Maria, only to be swindled in every way, as was to be expected. At this point, the story takes an unexpected turn, culminating in an epic, Visconti-esque finale with Anna Magnani at the height of her dramatic powers. — Humberto

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