Abstract

The three biopics by Susanna Nicchiarelli (Nico, 1988; Miss Marx; Chiara), released in 2017, 2020 and 2022, form an unintentional, yet coherent, trilogy. Their specific approach to the historical and to the biographical genre is based on the refusal of a nostalgic gaze, opting for stylistic choices that favour a critical attitude, pushing spectators to relate these stories to present times. Nicchiarelli puts together three women who struggled to define themselves, starting from – but also fighting against – inspirational men. All of them devoted themselves to the ethics of desire (Lacan), even when it led to death, as was the case with Eleanor Marx.