The 83rd Venice International Film Festival will close with Dio Ride, written and directed by Giovanni Veronesi. The film screens out of competition on September 12, bringing the prestigious event to its conclusion. Veronesi, known for The King’s Musketeers, Manual of Love, and For Love, Only for Love, returns to the international stage with this historical narrative. The director’s selection for the closing night position represents a significant achievement for Italian cinema.

The festival runs from September 2 through September 12. Opening night features Danny Boyle’s Rupert Murdoch biopic Ink on September 2 in the Sala Grande at the Palazzo del Cinema on the Lido. Jack O’Connell, Guy Pearce, and Claire Foy star in the opening feature, which Boyle directs from a screenplay by James Graham, based on his Tony-nominated play.

Cast and Creative Team Behind Historical Epic

Dio Ride features an ensemble cast led by Pierfrancesco Favino, Silvio Orlando, Alma Noce, Francesco Gheghi, Maurizio Lombardi, Paolo Rossi, and Carlo Cecchi in the role of Pope Innocent X. The production brings together some of Italy’s most respected acting talent. The film’s English title translates as God Laughs, reflecting its central thematic exploration of faith delivered through unconventional joy.

The screenplay came from a collaborative writing team including Giovanni Veronesi, Nicola Baldoni, Gianluca Bernardini, and Nicola Deorsola. Paolo Portone and Jean Jacques Llunga provided additional collaboration. This collective approach allowed the writers to balance historical authenticity with contemporary thematic resonance. Their work creates dialogue that captures period accuracy while exploring universal human concerns about authority, truth, and spiritual connection.

Plot Centers on Iconoclastic Friar’s Mission

The narrative unfolds during the mid-1600s in Tuscany, loosely based on true events. The story centers on Frate Leopoldo da Casamacchia, a friar who transforms religious discourse through his unconventional approach. While the Church preaches in Latin, Fra Leopoldo recounts the Gospel with contagious joy, bringing comfort and hope to those who listen. His message spreads from village to village, winning the hearts of thousands of people who begin following him everywhere as churches empty out.

Fra Leopoldo speaks of a God who remains close to the people and shares their capacity for laughter-a revolutionary concept for the era. He manages to discuss theology while making audiences laugh, but his light-hearted approach provokes the hostility of church authorities. The Vatican takes notice when word of his growing influence reaches Rome. The Pope decides to entrust the case to Cardinal Maculani, the most authoritative inquisitor of his era, setting up a confrontation between institutional power and individual spiritual truth.

Philosophical Examination of Faith and Authority

What begins as a trial transforms into an unexpected confrontation destined to challenge seemingly unshakable convictions. The story structure moves beyond simple inquisition narrative into deeper philosophical territory. While Leopoldo’s destiny seems foreordained, the destinies of Maculani and those who, like him, experience doubt take unexpected directions. The film explores a central paradox: you can silence a voice but not what that voice has left in others.

According to the festival, the film resonates strongly with the present time through a story that centers on freedom, the power of truth, and the relationship between people and power, with its shadows and contradictions. With his profound humanity, the friar Frate Leopoldo changes the lives of people he encounters. The historical setting provides distance while addressing contemporary questions about institutional authority versus personal conviction.

Festival Director Praises Italian Cinema Tradition

“We will close on a high note thanks to Giovanni Veronesi and his magnificent cast, to whom we owe the successful blend of irony and lightness applied to a traditionally serious topic,” said Venice festival director Alberto Barbera.

Barbera emphasized that the film’s tone belongs to the finest tradition of a certain Italian cinema, one that has been overlooked for far too long. His comments highlight the festival’s commitment to showcasing distinctly Italian storytelling approaches. The director’s praise underscores how Dio Ride achieves a balance between serious theological themes and accessible entertainment, demonstrating the versatility of Italian filmmaking traditions.

Director Expresses Surprise and Honor

“I struggle to express my emotions well; I find it difficult to admit when I’m thrilled or happy,” said Veronesi. “However, this time, the invitation to the Venice Film Festival left me surprised and honored. I am happy – there, I’ve said it.”

The director’s candid response reflects both humility and genuine excitement about the recognition. His selection for the closing slot represents a career milestone. Veronesi’s work has spanned multiple genres throughout Italian cinema, but this historical drama marks a distinctive addition to his filmography.

Production Details and Release Plans

Fabrizio Donvito, Benedetto Habib, Marco Cohen, and Daniel Campos Pavoncelli produced for Indiana Production. Massimiliano Orfei, Luisa Borella, and Davide Novelli produced for PiperFilm. The production companies collaborated with Netflix on the project, ensuring wide distribution potential beyond traditional theatrical release.

PiperFilm will distribute the film in Italian theaters on October 29. Piperplay handles international sales, positioning the film for potential global audiences. The world premiere takes place on Saturday, September 12, after the awards ceremony, giving the festival a meaningful conclusion that celebrates both artistic achievement and Italian cultural heritage through contemporary cinema.

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