L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2019 www.italoamericano.org 24 L'Italo-Americano " I was lucky enough to work with the greatest di- rectors, all over the world, but I never felt like I was an icon," Claudia Cardi- nale confides me, with the big deep eyes of someone who has so much to tell, and a kindness that puts you at ease. During our meeting in Beverly Hills, the legendary diva (The Leopard, 8 ½, Rocco and His Brothers) goes down memory lane, back to the '60s, to the years of her debut in Hollywood, where she remained for three years working, after The Pink Panther by Blake Edward, her first American film but shot in Italy. "I haven't been back to Los An- geles for so many years, I honestly don't even remember how long! I've been to Colorado, I filmed a movie in New York a few years ago. In the four days I will spend here I will go to Santa Monica and Venice Beach, I will go to those places that will remind me of the times when I would come to America very frequently." Cardinale was the godmother of the 2019 edition of the festival Filming Italy - Los Ange- les, alongside another great icon of Italian cinema, Gina Lollob- rigida, who returned to California after celebrating her star on the Walk of Fame last year. The festi- val was held from January 29 to 31 at the Italian Cultural Institute in Los Angeles and at the Har- mony Gold Theater in West Hol- lywood. Created and organized by Tiziana Rocca, Agnus Dei and Va- leria Rumori, director of the Italian Institute of Culture Los Angeles, Filming Italy - Los Angeles pro- motes Italy as a film set, while cre- ating a bond between Italian and American culture. "I was not ex- pecting to receive an award for my career. This collaboration between America and Italy is a wonderful thing." Claudia, how does it feel to come back to America? I was here many years ago, I worked with Rita Hayworth and many other actors, so I'm glad to come back. Hollywood is the home of cinema but I have never wanted to live here, they wanted me to stay but I told them: "I am European!" But here I made so many films, I was lucky enough to work a lot and I'm glad to come back after so many years. You are here for an important recognition to your career. It is crazy to think it all started in Tunis, at 16, with Omar Sharif. Then I worked in Italy, in the US, SILVIA GIUDICI Claudia Cardinale: International Cinema Icon Awarded in Los Angeles long time! It's a film that is screened rarely and it's a shame because it's a fun, fancy movie, a sparkling and brilliant comedy. And in the auction, I will do there is also a dress by designer Gal- lizin that I was wearing at the time and that I wore in this very film. What does Claudia Cardinale do today? Claudia continues to work both in cinema and theater. I'm filming a show in Switzerland at the mo- ment, but what I love the most is a theatrical project, a piece by a contemporary author, Pierre Nott. It's a wonderful show written about me. I interpret myself. It's the story of a dear friend who wants to become a woman. It is a fantastic project on a very modern subject and very ironic at the same time. Pierre Nott wrote it thinking of me. The main character, who wants to become a female, goes to the supermarket, he sees me and think I am Sophia Loren and so kidnaps me. Do you regret saying no to Hollywood? No regrets at all. I go out alone, I have a normal life that is not compatible with the life in Holly- wood. They tried to keep me here but I grew up as an actress thanks to Italian directors to whom I am very grateful. They are my foun- dations, Sorlini, Bolognini… so I feel like I belong to Italian cinema. I've lived in Paris since 1989, but I often go to Italy, and maybe I'll go back to live there one day. in Egypt, in India... practically everywhere! With Alberto Sordi, I made his first film in Australia. I was also lucky enough to make films with Visconti, Fellini and Sergio Leone. What's the movie you're most fond of? Hard to say, I did 180 movies! The most incredible was The Pro- fessionals, which I shot in 1966 with Burt Lancaster, but also Once Upon A Time in The West by Ser- gio Leone. I remember its won- derful music. Fifty years ago! How was working in a mainly male environment, back in the days? In Once Upon A Time in the West I was the only woman but I never felt intimidated. I've always had a wonderful relationship with both men and women. What mat- ters is to be together. What do you think of the #metoo movement? For me, it is a very important movement, I am a UNESCO am- bassador and I defend women and the most important thing for me is equality, even in this industry. Men and women must be paid with the same amount. Have things improved nowa- days? Yes I know that things have im- proved in this business, before it was more complicated. We were paid less and unfortunately some- times it still happens today. What memories do you have of your time in the US? I was very close with Rock Hudson, we made two films to- gether, one in Italy and one in America. We we were always to- gether, we had a beautiful rela- tionship. And what memories do you have of the other actors you've worked with? With Alan Delon I made four films, and also with Jean-Paul Bel- mondo I made four movies, we had fun like crazy. He told me: "Claudia, seduce the hotel man- ager. Smile at him." I would do it and in the meantime, he would take all the furniture and threw them on the street. He was a bit crazy! In fact, when we meet, he says to me: "Claudia, do you re- member all the crazy things we did?" And I reply: "You did it! I didn't do anything!" Have you ever thought about a movie about you? A film about my life? No, I never thought about it. The im- portant thing is to become some- one else when you act and then come back to be yourself. What are you like when you are not acting? I am a normal person. In fact, when I was here in America the police would stop me because I didn't have a bodyguard! I like to walk around alone, people love me and if anyone bothers me, I al- ways have someone help me, someone I don't know but who is my fan. What was the best compli- ment you've received? The most beautiful compliment was from David Niven on the set of The Pink Panther, he told me: "Claudia, you and spaghetti are the best inventions made by the Italians." Do you feel you are leaving a legacy of your career as an ac- tress? I haven't announced it publicly but I decided to auction my entire collection of clothes, those I wore from the 50s to the 70s. Sotheby's will soon announce it. All gar- ments by Roberto Cappucci, Balestra, Nina Ricci, Marina Lante della Rovere. It's the Italian style I've worn for a lifetime. There are about 130 dresses, some have even appeared in the films I made. My goal is to give a second life to these dresses that represent the history of Italian costume of those years. And it's an important chapter of my life and maybe my daughter Claudia will keep some of them for her. How did you choose your style over time? Since the '80s I dress only Ar- mani, in some ways it is like I turned the page on an aesthetic level. It is as if there was a Claudia Cardinale before the 70s, and then another woman who was born in the 80s after meeting with Giorgio Armani. What did you like most about this festival Filming Italy? The screening of The Pink Pan- ther, I hadn't seen it for such a LOS ANGELES ITALIAN COMMUNITY Claudia Cardinale, at Filming Italy Day 3 at Harmony Gold Theatre in Los Angeles, California on January 31, 2019. Credit_ Faye Sadou_MediaPunch Gina Lollobrigida, at Filming Italy Day 3 at Harmony Gold Theatre in Los Angeles, California on January 31, 2019. Credit_ Faye Sadou_MediaPunch

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