-Who is Marina Crialesi?

Good question. Perhaps I am one, or no one, or a hundred thousand? Or maybe I am all three. Am I a character in search of an author? In the constant search for the relationship between reality and fiction, between artistic creation and personal identity? The truth, ladies and gentlemen, is that all the things listed above are true. I am a crumpled piece of paper full of questions I am constantly trying to answer. I am always curious to know what’s on the other side, so I run… I am perpetually on the move. And when life tells me to “stay,” to stop, I try to understand its message. What haven’t I understood? What evolution do I need to make in order to move forward? Perhaps Woody Allen is right when he says life should begin with death. Or maybe not. I still don’t know that.

-What inspired your desire to be an actress?

It was an unconscious desire. I began taking my first steps completely unaware of why I had chosen this path in life. I understood it over time, and the answer lies in the question “Who is Marina Crialesi?” Curiosity, a desire to understand while trying to set aside personal judgment, to understand who I am. When I am on set, I find meaning in life, I find my place in the world, I no longer feel like a fish out of water. By sharing this journey with people who ask the same questions as me, and who, like me, are searching for answers, I feel part of the whole. I feel part of something big.

-Which artists inspire you the most?

I have several artists I deeply love for their ability to get inside you and shake you to the core. But it feels almost blasphemous to say I am inspired by them… of course, I would love to have this ability too, but it’s certainly not up to me to say that. Only the audience can give that answer. Anyway, on the walls of my house, you will find Anna Magnani, Monica Vitti, Greta Garbo, Marlene Dietrich, and her, the undisputed Queen of this century, Meryl Streep.

-Do you think the internet is a good promotional tool for an actress?

Here we open Pandora’s box. It shouldn’t be, but it is. Today more than ever, social media plays a crucial role in the selection of artists. But it’s not always a good idea… in fact, it’s almost never a good idea! Having many followers is not a synonym of talent and depth of soul. And just look at how things are in the world to be certain of what I’m saying. There is so much superficiality, so much prejudice, and too much emotional ignorance. People no longer read, a “clickbait” headline is enough to trigger a vast herd of ignorant comments, full of anger and lacking substance. Then, there is this constant need to showcase oneself in any way, shape, or form. It’s embarrassing that an actor, who is engaged in the search for something deeper, has to dedicate time to this world of appearances just to have a better chance of working and delivering a message. A message that, today, seems to interest others less and less. We are immersed in superficiality, and that is frightening.

-What do you like about the world, and what would you change?

You like difficult questions. The variety of the world is certainly the most beautiful thing… diversity, in fact. It’s beautiful to know and to get to know oneself. It’s beautiful to confront others and change one’s mind. What I don’t like is found in ignorance and gratuitous cruelty. In the self-interest of the individual at the expense of the many. It lies in superficiality and an excessive ego. When we could just stop and immerse ourselves in the gifts the universe gives us through God. Modugno sang “Meraviglioso” (Wonderful), “But how do you not realize how wonderful the world is? Even your pain will heal later… but look around you, look at the gifts they’ve given you… you say you have nothing, do you think the sun, life, and love are nothing?” It’s all right there.

-You participated in projects like Zero Zero Zero—how was that experience?

Wow… my legs were shaking. It was the first time I found myself on such an important set with an incredible cast and a team of giant professionals. I felt like a little girl who wanted to live up to that project no matter what. It was amazing! They filmed 2 or 3 scenes a day, no more. Coming from the soap opera, where more than 20 scenes are filmed a day, the opportunity to focus so much on the details felt like an immense gift. All sets should be like that! To dive into a single scene until exhaustion, until the goal is achieved.

-What is your impression of WILD FILMMAKER?

A necessary revolution, a concentration of beautiful things. It’s like the set… a place where you no longer feel like a fish out of water. Endless thanks for this beautiful opportunity to tell my story. Thanks to those who, by reading me, will welcome me and make me feel less alone. And a special thanks to Michele Diomà, always attentive to the deepest emotions, as only directors and screenwriters of the past could be.