l’altro, completamente scritto e cantato in inglese. «Mi piace recitare, scrivere e cantare in inglese. Per molto tempo l’ho vissuta un po’ come la mia prima lingua. Ho studiato alle scuole inglesi e fra di noi, all’interno dell’istituto, si era creata una complicità, una lingua nostra. Finita la scuola, per il fatto che molti degli studenti erano figli di diplomatici, ci siamo persi. E io mi sono ritrovata a dover inventare un modo di esprimermi: non che non conoscessi l’italiano, ovviamente, ma mi serviva una lingua di dialogo, un modo di parlare». P. COCCIA AN OSCAR FOR BEAUTY by Pier Paolo Mocci an Interview with Violante Placido Stunningly beautiful and utterly unique: <strong>Capri</strong> according to the young star of the Italian screen On <strong>Capri</strong>, they’re still talking about her, calling her one of the friendliest and most courteous young actresses who has ever visited the island. The public occasion, a few months ago, was the film festival “<strong>Capri</strong>, Hollywood,” organised by the Italian-American journalist Pascal Vicedomini, who is also its artistic director. In a sumptuous creation by Roberto Cavalli, all velvet and lace, in which she displayed all the elegance of a genuine 1950s film legend, Violante Placido returned to one of her alltime favourite places as a “famous actress,” without even touching on her new-found celebrity. “I’ve been coming to the island since I was a child, and I have <strong>Capri</strong> to thank for many splendid memories,” avows this actress from a film family, the daughter of actor Michele Placido. “The magnificent scenery made every one of my stays unforgettable, and I have so many memories connected with each spot. Although I have to admit I’ve always had a weakness for the Faraglioni, those small rocky island just off the shore that create a view that is simply spectacular. For me, with movies in my blood, every time I return to <strong>Capri</strong> I feel like I’m on the largest film set ever built: <strong>Capri</strong>’s beauty deserves an Oscar. In all the world it is just incomparable.” No doubt about it: the actress speaks form the heart when she declares her love for the island of the Blue Grotto, which only adds to her enjoyment of its charming hotels and excellent restaurants every time she visits. “I know many places to eat, and they are all marvellous. I particularly like the restaurants near the water. At dinner, the magic of the terraces by night is like a dream; I challenge anyone to remain indifferent.” What Violante truly adores, however, is the island fashion, and she never tires of exploring the alleys and byways where <strong>Capri</strong>’s artisans can still be found. “For a girl like me, whose look is mostly casual, but has to dress up often, as an actress, choosing an outfit or an accessory can be a problem. <strong>Capri</strong> puts the full range of its boutiques at my fingertips; they sell a bit of everything, and it’s all very fashionable.” The actress turns out to be a fan of the classic <strong>Capri</strong> footwear by Costanzo, those real leather strappy sandals. “They’re perfect for strolling,” she says. “I consider Costanzo sandals little gems of comfort and elegance, ideal for both a day at the beach and an evening out.” <strong>Capri</strong> knows Violante will be back, but now she has work to do, specifically Moana, the made-for-TV movie devoted to the Italian porn icon; and Pinocchio, a remake of the famous TV series by Luigi Comencini, which will be airing in the fall (with Violante as the Blue Fairy, played by Gina Lollobrigida in the original series). Two roles that are rather out of the ordinary, which ought to make Violante (or Viola, as she prefers to be called) an actress in great demand for some time to come. “I have always admired and respected Moana for her intelligence, independence, and ability to win over women as well as men,” Violante says. “She was a woman who put herself on the line with a career choice that was courageous, to say the least. They tell me she was also extremely professional on the set. I’ve seen many of her television interviews: she defended herself ably and was clearly a very well-educated individual.” Besides the TV series Pinocchio, directed by Alberto Sironi, the young actress will be appearing in the film Sleepless directed by newcomer Maddalena De Panfilis, coming out in the fall and co-starring Valentina Cervi, Francesco Venditti, and Roberto Angelini. What really stirred up a sensation, however, was her posing for a Playboy article only recently: photos in the buff by auteur photographers that boosted sales nicely, according to data provided by the famous men’s magazine. “It was a challenge, and I thrive on challenges,” Violante admits. “When the Playboy article came along, I’d just finished auditioning for Moana, so posing seemed like a natural consequence. It wasn’t a real personal choice; it was more of a coincidence. But sometimes I just enjoy bringing out what’s inside me, my femininity included. It’s just a game, of course. Showing a little skin is okay. I feel natural. Plus, I like photography; I like seeing the sensuality of bodies captured in the image.” Last but not least, there’s the actress’s love of music. Maybe not everyone knows that Violante cut a record as a singer-songwriter, called Viola, and has every intention of pursuing two parallel careers. The songs on the record, by the way, were written and sung in English. “I like performing, writing, and singing in English. For a long time it was almost like my mother tongue: I went to English schools, and we used it as our own language in our own little groups; we bonded to it. When we graduated we lost touch, since many of the kids were the children of diplomats. And I suddenly had to invent a way to express myself: not that I didn’t know Italian, obviously, but I needed a language for dialogue; I needed a way to talk to people.” 21
22 Verde e perfida Le rupi assolate sono il regno dell’euforbia. La pianta dalle infinite sfumature cromatiche che nasconde l’insidia di un potente tossico di Tullia Rizzotti
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