by InTrieste
In Trieste, a revolutionary experiment in theater continues to defy norms, challenge perceptions, and celebrate the humanity in madness. Founded in 1982, in the wake of Italy’s historic closure of psychiatric hospitals under Franco Basaglia’s reforms, the Accademia della Follia (Academy of Madness) remains a unique beacon of creativity and inclusivity.
The theater company, envisioned by its founder Claudio Misculin, is not merely a form of therapy or rehabilitation for its members. Instead, it is an unapologetic celebration of the identities and experiences of its actors, many of whom openly identify as living with mental health challenges. Over the past four decades, Misculin’s mantra—“fools by trade, actors by vocation”—has defined the ethos of the troupe. “This is not about curing madness,” Misculin once said, “but about transforming it into art.”
Now, five years after Misculin’s death in 2019, a new documentary sheds light on the extraordinary legacy of the Accademia della Follia. Directed by Erika Rossi, We Are the Mistakes That Enable Your Intelligence will premiere at the 2025 Trieste Film Festival on January 19 at 11 am in Teatro Miela. The film’s title pays homage to Franco Rotelli, the late psychiatrist and a key supporter of Basaglia’s reforms, who described the theater as one of the most precious outcomes of the Basaglian movement.
A Legacy Born in Revolution
Trieste in the 1970s was at the forefront of a radical psychiatric revolution. Franco Basaglia’s philosophy of deinstitutionalization rejected the traditional asylum model, advocating instead for a society where mental illness was treated with dignity and inclusion. Against this backdrop, Misculin—an actor, director, and self-proclaimed “matt-attore” (mad actor)—founded the Accademia della Follia.
The group’s performances drew from the lived experiences of its actors, blending raw emotion, humor, and storytelling. Through rigorous training, rehearsals, and tours, the actors defied the stereotype of “the mentally ill” and embraced their identities as professionals, showcasing their artistry to audiences across Italy and beyond.
Keeping the Flame Alive
The death of Misculin could have marked the end of the Accademia. Instead, co-founders Cinzia Quintiliani and Angela Pianca, along with long-time collaborator and choreographer Sarah Taylor, took the reins. The group’s resilience is a testament to its ethos: a commitment to breaking down societal barriers and challenging the stigma surrounding mental health.
In Rossi’s documentary, archival footage intertwines with contemporary scenes of the company as it prepares for a new production without Misculin. “His presence-absence shapes the entire film,” Rossi explains. “The actors’ way of mourning is to perform, to channel their grief and joy onto the stage.”
The documentary, which recently won the Audience Award at the PerSo Film Festival in Perugia, draws on decades of material, including unpublished footage from the private archives of the Accademia della Follia and Trieste’s former psychiatric hospital. Rossi’s lens captures the essence of the company’s philosophy: that madness and reason are two sides of the same coin, and that art transcends boundaries.
An Enduring Impact
The Accademia’s influence extends beyond theater. In 2022, Italy’s Ministry of Culture recognized its archives as “of great cultural and social value.” Its productions, from live performances to films and multimedia projects, have earned acclaim both domestically and internationally. In 2011, the company was awarded the Presidential Medal for its work in Brazil with the Extravagância project.
This year, the Accademia will embark on a national tour, beginning in Bergamo on February 26, with a production titled Those of Basaglia… at 180°. The show will feature prominently in the cultural program of GO! 2025, celebrating the European Capital of Culture.
A Necessary Film
“For the new generations, the origins of this story may be lost,” Rossi says. “This film is a way to reconnect history and memory, to preserve the legacy of a project that remains unparalleled on a global scale.”
The documentary captures not only the triumphs but also the challenges faced by the Accademia. It celebrates the courage of its actors, who dare to turn vulnerability into strength, and madness into art. As Monica Goti, president of the Trieste Film Festival, notes: “This is a portrait of Claudio Misculin and his extraordinary journey, but also of an artistic movement that is deeply embedded in the cultural history of our city.”
Interview: director Erica Rossi; choreographer Sara Taylor
