Everybody loves Mina – or everybody should, anyway. The iconic Italian pop singer who dominated the Italian charts and was a fixture on television variety shows in the 60s and 70s has become reclusive, not showing her face on-screen for the last 20 years, but her legend lives on in the movies – with her voice. Directors love using her songs in soundtracks.
She was known in Italy as the “Queen of Screamers” for her emotional vocals and the “Tiger of Cremona” for her emotive gesticulating, but even more so as a thoroughly modern and independent woman, singing about stuff that gave her a real “bad girl” image. She was banned from TV in 1963 because of her pregnancy and relationship with a married actor but the public outcry was too great and she was allowed to return.
Take a look at some of her songs and the movies you’ll find them in.
I love the last scene of Dillo Con Parole Mie (Ginger and Cinnamon), with Stefania and Andrea lip-syncing to Mina’s Ta Ra Ta Ta (Fumo blu).
Chihuahua can be heard in Ferzan Ozpetek’s La Finestra di Fronte.
In Kryptonite Nella Borsa, you can hear her Quando Ero Piccola.
They used her Se Tu Non Fossi Qui in L’Ultimo Bacio – The Last Kiss.
In Io Non Ho Paura (I’m Not Scared), you’ll find Se Telefondando.
I Love Italian Everything 