Corsage film reveals dark side of Princess Sissi

The film 'Corsage' by Marie Kreutzer, starring Vicky Krieps, presents a modern and complex portrayal of Empress Elisabeth of Austria, known as Sissi, countering the idealized image from the 1955 film with Romy Schneider. The narrative begins on December 24, 1877, when Sissi turns 40 and is officially considered an old woman. She struggles with eating disorders, heroin addiction, depression, marital infidelity, and the pressure of aging, rebelling against court dictates by tightening her corset, obsessing over diets, and seeking lovers. The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival to critical acclaim for revealing the true nature of the historical figure behind the legend. In Italy, it will be released in theaters on December 7 under the title 'Il corsetto dell'Imperatrice'.