"Dioggene" is a show that moves from the Middle Ages to current events to investigate the human soul of yesterday and today. Divided into three scenes, it revolves around a single character, a famous actor, Nemesio Rea (Stefano Fresi).
First he is on stage and interprets a 13th-century vernacular text, the story of a Tuscan peasant who took part in the terrible battle of Montaperti.
Then we find him in the dressing room, preparing for the performance, troubled by his violent break-up with his wife. But it is in the third picture that we finally see him living happily in a rubbish can: he has left everything behind to be free to talk about the true meaning of life, like the Greek philosopher Diogenes.
There are three different Italian languages for each of the three monologues (Tuscan vernacular, common language, Romanesco), three atmospheres, three tones, three styles. "Epic and comedy, sneers and cruelty. In each of the three pictures, apparently so different from each other, there are the same revolving themes: male violence, human stupidity, war, the need for beauty and love' (Giacomo Battiato).