Ornella Muti - among the most renowned Italian actresses, she has had a varied career across different genres. She has collaborated with notable Italian directors, such as Damiano Damiani and Francesco Nuti. Internationally, she is best known for her role as Princess Aura in the cult science fiction film "Flash Gordon". Recently, at the Torino Film Festival, she was interviewed and stated, “It's nice to be a grandmother; for me, it's a form of art.” The actress added, “I have worked with the greats, but I have always felt insecure. Beauty has its downsides, and I have never considered myself perfect."
During the Film Festival, she reunited with Michele Placido, widely recognized for his portrayal of police inspector Corrado Cattani on the crime drama television series *La piovra* (1984–2001). Both agreed on one point: Long live glamour. Placido began by discussing the 42nd Torino Film Festival, expressing, “This year, thankfully, glamour has returned. It’s a rebirth. Enough with ideology, cinema is glamour. We’ve had enough of authors; it's broken us... Gozzano said it: cinema is a popular art." Meanwhile, Ornella Muti remarked on the sidelines of the meeting, “Cinema is a dream, it is glamour, and that is what festivals must embody. These events are also important for this reason.”
The meeting of two renowned actors marks the presentation of "Romanzo Popolare" by Mario Monicelli, a film they starred in fifty years ago. The screening's proceeds will benefit the Piedmontese Foundation for Cancer Research to support the Candiolo Institute. The actors shared thoughts on the glamour at TFF, a festival known for focusing on cinephiles and auteur films rather than spotlights. While discussing beauty, the actress noted that women must work harder to prove their talent despite their looks, whereas the actor expressed an appreciation for unconventional beauty, referencing Simone Signoret.
Ornella Muti expressed interest in directing, acknowledging that many actors eventually consider this path, though she noted the challenges involved. She also mentioned continuing to practice an art form passed down from her grandmother. Muti discussed her role as Valeria in Marco Ferreri's "The Last Woman," highlighting its unique approach to addressing women's treatment. She also recalled her part as Vincenzina in "Popular Romance."
Michele Placido shared that he won a Silver Bear for his performance as a homosexual character in Salvatore Samperi's "Ernesto." He mentioned that Fassbinder, the president of the Berlinale at the time, later invited him to make a film. Regarding a potential candidacy for a position at the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia in Rome, Placido stated that he has not been approached and believes he is not suited for management roles. He suggested that the institution should have two presidents: one focusing on management and another on artistic direction.
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