Dalida (2017) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

The film follows Dalida's rise as a singer alongside a series of intimate losses and a worsening struggle with depression.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

From Cairo to Paris

Dalida's love of music begins in Cairo, alongside a painful sense of insecurity about her appearance. In Paris, Lucien discovers her and helps build her career, while their relationship becomes strained by his priorities.

Key Events

• Dalida's Suicide Attempt — In 1967, Dalida attempts suicide; Bruno, Lucien, and Jean rush to her side during her recovery. Characters: Iolanda Gigliotti, aka "Dalida", Bruno Gigliotti, aka "Orlando", Lucien Morrise, Jean Sobieski Location: Hotel
• A Childhood in Cairo — Dalida grows up loving music and feels ugly because of the large glasses she wears. Characters: Iolanda Gigliotti, aka "Dalida" Location: Cairo
• Lucien Discovers Dalida — Radio programmer Lucien discovers Dalida and falls in love with her. Characters: Iolanda Gigliotti, aka "Dalida", Lucien Morrise Location: Paris
• Career Before Marriage — Lucien delays marriage and having a child while concentrating on building Dalida's career. Characters: Iolanda Gigliotti, aka "Dalida", Lucien Morrise Location: Paris
• Dalida Marries Lucien — Dalida marries Lucien despite her disillusionment over his delays. Characters: Iolanda Gigliotti, aka "Dalida", Lucien Morrise Location: Unspecified

Love and Sanremo's Loss

Dalida's affair with Jean contributes to the breakdown of her marriage, and she later becomes involved with Luigi Tenco. Luigi's breakdown and suicide at the Sanremo festival, followed by Dalida finding his body, deepen her crisis.

Key Events

• An Affair with Jean — Dalida begins an affair with artist Jean while married to Lucien. Characters: Iolanda Gigliotti, aka "Dalida", Jean Sobieski, Lucien Morrise Location: Unspecified
• Dalida Leaves Jean — Dalida eventually leaves Jean and begins an affair with Luigi Tenco. Characters: Iolanda Gigliotti, aka "Dalida", Jean Sobieski Location: Unspecified
• Luigi's Sanremo Breakdown — Luigi has a breakdown and walks off stage at the 1967 festival. Characters: Iolanda Gigliotti, aka "Dalida", Luigi Tenco Location: Sanremo Music Festival
• Dalida Finds Luigi — Luigi dies by suicide, and Dalida finds his body. Characters: Iolanda Gigliotti, aka "Dalida", Luigi Tenco Location: Unspecified

Recovery and Renewed Success

Bruno helps Dalida recover and return to recording. A relationship in Italy ends after an abortion, while Bruno takes over her career management and Lucien later dies by suicide.

Key Events

• Bruno Helps Her Recover — With Bruno's help, Dalida recovers and begins recording new music. Characters: Iolanda Gigliotti, aka "Dalida", Bruno Gigliotti, aka "Orlando" Location: Unspecified
• An Italian Love Affair — While performing in Italy, Dalida meets a young student and begins a relationship with him. Characters: Iolanda Gigliotti, aka "Dalida" Location: Italy
• Pregnancy and Abortion — Dalida has an abortion because she believes her young lover is not ready to parent and she does not want to raise a child without a father. Characters: Iolanda Gigliotti, aka "Dalida" Location: Unspecified
• Bruno Manages Her Career — Bruno takes over management of Dalida's career, leading into a new period of success. Characters: Iolanda Gigliotti, aka "Dalida", Bruno Gigliotti, aka "Orlando" Location: Unspecified
• Lucien's Suicide — Lucien dies by suicide in the apartment he once shared with Dalida. Characters: Lucien Morrise Location: Former apartment

Richard and the Final Decline

Dalida's relationship with Richard shifts from security to jealousy, conflict, and separation. Career acclaim and a celebrated return to Egypt do not prevent her depression and bulimia from worsening, and she dies by suicide.

Key Events

• Richard Enters Her Life — Dalida is introduced to Richard, and they begin a relationship that initially makes her feel safe. Characters: Iolanda Gigliotti, aka "Dalida", Richard Chanfray Location: Unspecified
• A Shooting at Home — Richard mistakes the housekeeper's boyfriend for an intruder and shoots him; Dalida pays the family to keep Richard out of jail. Characters: Iolanda Gigliotti, aka "Dalida", Richard Chanfray Location: Dalida's home
• Richard's Jealousy — Richard becomes jealous of Dalida's career, and she records an album with him despite believing he is a poor singer. Characters: Iolanda Gigliotti, aka "Dalida", Richard Chanfray Location: Unspecified
• A Lost Chance for Motherhood — Dalida learns that the abortion destroyed her uterus and any chance of becoming pregnant. Characters: Iolanda Gigliotti, aka "Dalida" Location: Unspecified
• Dalida Ends the Relationship — After Richard mocks her eating disorder publicly, Dalida makes him leave her life. Characters: Iolanda Gigliotti, aka "Dalida", Richard Chanfray Location: New Year's Eve party
• Richard's Suicide — After Dalida ends their relationship, Richard later dies by suicide. Characters: Richard Chanfray Location: Unspecified
• Acclaim for Le Sixième Jour — At the height of her career, Dalida acts in Le Sixième Jour to acclaim. Characters: Iolanda Gigliotti, aka "Dalida" Location: Unspecified
• A Celebrated Return to Egypt — Dalida returns to Egypt, where the people celebrate her. Characters: Iolanda Gigliotti, aka "Dalida" Location: Egypt
• Depression and Isolation — Despite career success, Dalida becomes a shut-in and her bulimia worsens. Characters: Iolanda Gigliotti, aka "Dalida" Location: Her home
• Dalida's Final Note — Dalida dies by suicide, leaving a note saying that life is too difficult. Characters: Iolanda Gigliotti, aka "Dalida" Location: Unspecified

Story Breakdown

• Cairo and Childhood — Dalida's early love of music and insecurity form part of the background to her later life.
  • Music in Cairo — She grows up passionate about music, with a violinist father.
  • Appearance Insecurity — She feels ugly because of the large glasses she wears.
• Lucien and Stardom — Lucien discovers Dalida and their professional and romantic lives become intertwined.
  • Paris Discovery — Radio programmer Lucien discovers Dalida and falls in love with her.
  • Strained Marriage — Dalida marries Lucien but becomes disillusioned by his focus on her career over marriage and a child.
• Affairs and Grief — Dalida's relationships with Jean and Luigi lead into a devastating loss.
  • Jean's Affair — Dalida has an affair with Jean while married to Lucien, then leaves Jean.
  • Luigi's Death — After Luigi's Sanremo breakdown and suicide, Dalida finds his body.
• Recovery and Management — Bruno helps Dalida recover and later takes charge of her career.
  • Return to Recording — Dalida begins recording new music after Bruno supports her recovery.
  • Bruno Manages — Bruno's management leads Dalida into a new period of career success.
• Motherhood and Loss — A relationship in Italy ends after Dalida chooses an abortion, and she later learns its lasting consequences.
  • Italian Relationship — Dalida meets a young student while performing in Italy and begins an affair.
  • Abortion's Consequences — She ends the relationship after the abortion and later learns she cannot become pregnant.
• Richard's Relationship — Dalida's relationship with Richard deteriorates amid violence, jealousy, and public cruelty.
  • A Sense of Safety — Richard initially makes Dalida feel safe and secure.
  • The Final Break — After conflict and Richard's public mockery of her eating disorder, Dalida ends the relationship.
• Acclaim and Despair — Professional recognition and public celebration contrast with Dalida's worsening private depression.
  • Film and Egypt — Dalida receives acclaim for Le Sixième Jour and is celebrated on returning to Egypt.
  • Final Note — Isolated and struggling with bulimia, Dalida dies by suicide and leaves a note saying life is too difficult.

Directed by

Lisa Azuelos

Key Cast

• Sveva Alviti — Iolanda Gigliotti, aka "Dalida"
• Riccardo Scamarcio — Bruno Gigliotti, aka "Orlando"
• Jean-Paul Rouve — Lucien Morrise
• Niels Schneider — Jean Sobieski
• Alessandro Borghi — Luigi Tenco