There’s a really good interview with Woody Allen in Oggi magazine’s May 25 edition – he’s shooting a film in Rome this summer. Good! I’ll be in Rome this summer so maybe I can be an extra! I’ve done the translating so – apologies in advance to Armando Gallo, who conducted the interview.
“Benigni will be there”, said Allen, who enchanted “La Croisette” (Cannes) with his new “Midnight in Paris” the romantic comedy set in Paris. This great American director feels snubbed by Hollywood and has turned his attention to Europe, making films in London, Barcellona, and Paris – and this time in Rome for what he calls an “out-and-out comedy”. And Woody will be in the film too – “Finally I created a role good enough for me, so I’m returning to acting.”
“It will be a film all about laughs, I wrote a screenplay that I hope will capture the spirit of Rome”, said Allen.
Oggi – Woody, do you know Rome very well?
Woody – No, I was first there in 1964 but I don’t know it well. Let’s say I know Paris through American films and I know Rome through the post-war films.
Oggi – What did you think of Rome when you were young?
Woody – When I was a child I knew only knew that Italy was at war with America but when I was 11 or 12 the first Italian movies arrived like “Rome, Open City” and “The Bicycle Thief”. They were films made in black and white and I liked that because I imagined New York City that way. That’s why I filmed “Manhattan” in black and white. “The White Sheik” was my introduction me to Fellini and I always loved him like I loved De Sica, Antonioni and Germi. My friends in Brooklyn and I had great discussions in the evenings about all of the Italian directors.
Oggi – Can you tell us something about this new film’s plot?
Woody – It will have various characters both American and Italian with funny stories that will intertwine with each other. The film will be half in English and half in Italian and it will revolve around Rome today.
Oggi – And the cast? Will Roberto Benigni ‘s part be just a cameo?
Woody – Benigni will have an important role. There will be other Italian and American actors, Alec Baldwin, Penelope Cruz, Jesse Eisenberg and Ellen Page. I play “Jerry”.
Oggi – Is Penelope Cruz your new muse?
Woody – Penelope is a good friend and an excellent actress. She called me when I was about to make “Vicky Cristina Barcellona” so I wrote a part for her, one that earned her an Oscar. Now she called me and said she speaks Italian very well (and we know this from “Non ti Muovere”) so I wrote a part for her in this film too. I’m her muse!
Oggi – How did you come to give a part to Carla Bruni?
Woody – Because she’s a beautiful woman. I told her that she deserved to be on the screen. I asked her to give me a few days to give it a shot and when she accepted I wrote the part of a tourist guide for her. She was perfect, very natural. The French press said that we had to shoot the scene many times but that wasn’t true.
Oggi – Did you meet Sarkozy?
Woody – Yes, he came to see his wife on the set and he was excited about his wife making the movie. Then when I went back to Paris to play in my band we went out to lunch. They are a very nice couple, they talk about everything, films, sports, art – they’re normal people.
Oggi – Are you satisfied with the film?
Woody – I’m never satisfied with my films. My initial ideas are always better than the final results. In fact I always feel like a cook who has prepared a wonderful meal and then has no desire to eat it. I never see my movies, otherwise I’d want to remake them. Years ago I wanted to remake “Manhattan” but they wouldn’t let me.
Oggi – Do you prefer writing or directing films?
Woody – I’ve loved writing since I was a child. I have to write something every day or I don’t feel well. I always write my films and that’s why I became a director. But it’s hard work and that’s why I choose actors that are naturally good – they do it all themselves.
Oggi – Is this your grand passion?
Woody – Music is my grand passion and when they bury me I hope it’s with a clarinet in my hands. I’m in love with American music from 1900 until 1950, and I grew up with music from the 40s. In those days I heard Gershwin, Cole Porter and Duke Ellington on the radio…
Armando Gallo
I Love Italian Everything 