Monica Bellucci Talks Anita Ekberg, ‘Irreversible,’ Utilizing Her Physique

Monica Bellucci was among the many company of honor on the 14^th version of the Lumière Movie Competition in Lyon, the place the Paris-based Italian icon mentioned her newest movie, “The Lady within the Fountain,” and seemed again on her profession. 

In “The Lady within the Fountain,” which alternates archival footage of Hollywood icon Anita Ekberg with the story of Bellucci, the Italian actress retraces Ekberg’s frailties and decisions, reflecting on what it feels prefer to be an icon.

The Swedish-born star was immortalized in Federico Fellini’s movie, which sees her character wade into the Trevi fountain adopted by Marcello Mastroianni. 

“By way of my eyes, you discover out who this actress was, and it’s a chunk of Italian historical past that we’re telling. However ‘La Dolce Vita’ isn’t nearly post-war Italy – it has a world attain. On the time, there was a lot creativity, there have been so many nice filmmakers – Fellini, Rossellini, Visconti, De Sica – it’s part of the historical past of cinema,” she mentioned. 

Bellucci likened Ekberg’s arrival in Italy to a “twister” – “this blonde, horny, free lady, with a convertible automobile and her personal home, in a rustic the place a lady’s place was nonetheless within the kitchen…. It was an enormous cultural distinction, which was scary for some. 

“Immediately’s ladies be taught rather a lot from such ladies: They had been the primary who challenged the established codes,” she added. 

Whereas she initially questioned director Antongiulio Panizzi’s selection – “I’m so Mediterranean, she was so blonde and blue-eyed!” – Bellucci regularly understood it as she was capturing the movie and the similarities between the 2 emerged.  

Like Ekberg, Bellucci, too, left her home-country. And, like Ekberg, she has needed to take care of the long-lasting standing her magnificence has granted her. 

“In fact, being fairly helped open doorways, it will be a mislead say in any other case, I used to be shy though I speak rather a lot,” she smiled, “So magnificence meant folks got here to me. 

“However magnificence solely lasts 5 minutes if there’s nothing behind. What you have to know is that, from the age of 40, they give you roles as a witch!” she mentioned mischievously, drawing laughter from the viewers. “However you mustn’t cry, you have to tackle these roles: An entire new vary [of roles] opens up. Earlier than that, you had been too younger and fairly, and you have to welcome this chance.”

When she shot the controversial “Irréversible” with Gaspar Noé in 2001, Bellucci, a former mannequin, mentioned she had no downside utilizing her physique as “a working device”.

“An actor, like a dancer, makes use of his physique as an instrument, similar to a musician has his instrument. Immediately,” she added with a smile, “I take advantage of it a lot much less – there’s a time for every little thing – however I got here from the world of style, so I used to be used to utilizing my physique as a method of expression.”

Whereas she mentioned she understands that individuals can’t watch that movie due to its violent content material, she was excited by “the distinction between poetry, love and gentleness, and the horrible aspect of Man, who’s each a marvellous and a monstrous being.”  

“This movie has that energy, additionally in the best way it was shot – with a 20-minute sequence – usually, that solely occurs within the theater,” she mentioned, including that the movie is studied at college as a result of that was one thing new in cinema.  

Requested whether or not she most popular working with younger or extra skilled administrators, Bellucci mentioned: “You possibly can work with each – you must see the movie as soon as it’s accomplished to know. I’m open to every little thing – what issues is that I really feel alive.” 

Monica Bellucci’s newest movie, “The Lady within the Fountain,” is out now.

The Lumière Movie Competition runs in Lyon by means of Oct. 23.