L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2024 www.italoamericano.org L'Italo-Americano 2 T h e g r e a t e s t l e s - son is that at 90, s h e s t i l l l o o k s toward tomorrow a n d h e r n e x t f i l m . F o r h e r , c i n e m a h a s always meant the ability to dream, to set aside reality, a n d t o b e c h a r m e d b y t h e e v o c a t i v e p o w e r o f t h e b i g screen—the attraction of sto- ries she knows how to tell and the emotions she brings to life. She is Sophia Loren, the queen of Italian cinema, whom Hollywood has recently celebrated, making her feel cher- ished in what has always been "her" Los Angeles. A heart- felt standing ovation embraced her at the Academy Muse- um theater during a retrospective organized with Cinecittà, retracing her extraordinary career—a journey that is even more remarkable when one considers where Loren began. She has often spoken of those years of hardship during The inspiring cinema and life lessons of the wonderful Sophia Loren From the Editor World War II—a time echoed today in the many war zones filling our news, robbing children of dreams and childhood. She, too, was once one of those children: terrified under bombings, in extreme poverty, without food, balancing the constant risk of death against the hope of survival, amid epidemics and a search for shelter and even water. "I want to think about my next film," she said at the Academy, adding, "I hope to never retire." The tenacious young girl who once felt defenseless has become a star in Hollywood's firmament. She honors her roots while continuing to look ahead to her next project, moving forward, just as in the title of her most recent film, directed by her son Edoardo: The Life Ahead. In recent weeks, another giant of cinema, Italian-Ameri- can Martin Scorsese, whom we featured on the cover, shared a similar sentiment. Approaching his 82nd birthday on November 17, he remarked, "I have no intention of say- ing goodbye to cinema. I still have a few films to make, and I hope God gives me the strength and the funds to do so." S c o r s e s e , c u r r e n t l y a t w o r k o n a p r o j e c t i n R o m e , announced last year his plans for a film on the life of Jesus following a meeting with Pope Francis, with whom the Last Temptation of Christ director has a unique connection. In Sicily, he's overseeing a docufilm and shared, "I've become fascinated by archaeological excavations, wanting to understand how ancient worlds functioned." For Scorsese, too, the spark for cinema was ignited in childhood. "Since I first watched Rossellini's Paisan over 70 years ago with my grandparents and parents, Italian cinema has held a very special place in my heart—a presence that has guided, sup- ported, and inspired my work as a filmmaker," he said while accepting the Stella della Mole Award in Turin. The spirit of these icons offers a profound life lesson— not merely an expression of their love for acting or direct- ing but an invitation to pursue dreams, keep passions alive, and embrace the untamed imagination of the child within us. It's a reminder that dreams only remain unfulfilled if w e n e v e r t r y t o b r i n g t h e m t o l i f e . N o t e v e r y o n e c a n become Loren or Scorsese, but at least we can say we tried. In this pursuit—always a leap of faith, as it was for every film and each step in their unparalleled careers—they are much like the millions of immigrants who, then as now, "give it a try." They defy gravity, risking falls along the way, crossing oceans, leaving behind the comfort of home in search of a better life. The last great diva of Hollywood's golden age was espe- cially generous during her 90th birthday celebration in Los Angeles, following a tribute in Rome. She described what cinema means to her without wasting a word: "Being here is truly special for me, because Hollywood films taught me how to dream." For her, cinema is a lifeline—not simply a career, fame, or success, though all these have been part of her journey. It's about light, freedom, hope, escape, solace, healing, imagination, rebirth, renewal—and indeed, dream- ing. "My eyes and heart were enchanted by Rita Hayworth, Ginger Rogers, and Fred Astaire." Enchantment—that's the true magic of cinema, a magic we should never forget as the lights dim in the theater. Simone Schiavinato, Editor Simone Schiavinato NEWS & FEATURES TOP STORIES PEOPLE EVENTS Member of FUSIE (Federazione Unitaria Stampa Italianaall'Estero), COGITO L'Italo-Americano Please send correspondence to P.O. BOX 6528, ALTADENA, CA 91003 www.italoamericano.org L'Italo-Americano Newspaper (a 501(c)(3) non- profit organization), www.italoamericano.org, is the largest and longest-running Italian news- paper in America, not to mention the cultural and news resource for all things Italian in the US. A bilingual newspaper which represents an historical landmark for the Italian American Communities in the West Coast and throughout the US. L'Italo-Americano benefits from subsidies by the Italian Government, Memberships and Donations intended to support and not interrupt a mission that began in 1908 to preserve and promote the Italian language and culture in the USA Periodicals postage paid at Monrovia, California 91016, and additional mailing offices. PUBLISHER Robert Barbera Grande Ufficiale EDITOR IN CHIEF Simone Schiavinato ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER Patrick Abbate EDITORIAL COORDINATOR Barbara Minafra COPY EDITOR Francesca Bezzone LOS ANGELES CONTRIBUTOR Silvia Nittoli SAN FRANCISCO CONTRIBUTOR Serena Perfetto SEATTLE CONTRIBUTOR Rita Cipalla CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Mariella Radaelli, Matt Walker, Francesca Bezzone, Luca Ferrari, Stefano Carnevali, Paula Reynolds, Teresa Di Fresco Nicoletta Curradi, Generoso D'Agnese, Jessica S. Levy, Fabrizio Del Bimbo, Maria Gloria, Chuck Pecoraro, Anthony Di Renzo Serena Perfetto, Kenneth Scambray, Chiara D'Alessio, Luca Signorini, Giulia Franceschini © 2024 L'Italo-Americano Membership: One year $59 - Single copy $2.25 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to L'Italo Americano PO Box 6528 Altadena, CA 91003 Selling Homes Throughout The Bay Area Adele Della Santina "The Right Realtor makes all the di昀erence." 650.400.4747 Adele.DellaSantina@compass.com www.AdeleDS.com DRE# 00911740 Expert in preparation, promotion, and negotiation!

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