**Francesca Bertini (1892-1985)** was one of the greatest stars of Italian silent cinema, embodying the figure of the “diva” with her intense acting, rich in passion and marked gestures. She excelled in roles of strong, determined and often tormented women with overwhelming passion.

Her absolute masterpiece remains **Assunta Spina** (1915), in which she gave a masterful performance as a Neapolitan peasant woman. Other important films include **Histoire d'un pierrot** (1914), **Odette** (1916), and the blockbuster **Fabiola** (1918). Her beauty and talent made her an international icon, a symbol of the glamour and drama of early cinema, helping to define the style of Italian melodramatic cinema. Although her career declined with the advent of sound, Bertini remains a fundamental and unforgettable figure in the history of cinema.