Time Out New York / Issue 564: July 20–26, 2006
We dream of Gina
Gina Lollobrigida explains the importance of being well- rounded.
BODICE AND SOUL Lollobrigida hopes to get her man in Fanfan la Tulipe.
Gina Lollobrigida became one of the world’s biggest sex symbols thanks to her role as a fiery Gypsy in Christian-Jacque’s 1952 swashbuckling romp, Fanfan la Tulipe, unspooling in a new 35mm print at Film Forum. Although Lollobrigida has essentially been retired from the big screen since the ’70s, she’s kept busy with photography, humanitarian work, a brief spot on Falcon Crest and even a run for European Parliament. Lollobrigida, 79, spoke with TONY from her house in Rome.
What are some of your memories of making Fanfan la Tulipe?
At that time I wasn’t completely sure that I would do movies for the rest of my life, because I was thinking of starting art school. But it was after the war, and having a little money was always useful. When we finished the movie, the producers called me and said it was better to change my name, because lollo in French means “beautiful breast.” So I said okay, change it. But they had already done [the opening credits], so for economy they left my name.
What was it like acting with Humphrey Bogart in Beat the Devil?
Bogart was a very nice friend. When I came to New York for the first time [in 1953], I met Marilyn Monroe, and Bogart said that I made Marilyn Monroe look like a schoolgirl. That I was sexier than Marilyn Monroe. When I went to Hollywood, I became very close friends with Marilyn.
In 1975 you directed a short documentary called “Portrait of Fidel Castro.” How did that come about?
I had started doing photography around 1970, and I was interested in going to the streets to contact the normal people, the poor people. I wanted to contact people who we didn’t know very much about. Fidel Castro was a mysterious person. I was not interested in politics. Never. But I thought it would be interesting to see the other side of a person who people don’t know. So I gave a letter to the embassy of Cuba during a festival in Moscow. I immediately got an answer. He was more anxious to see me than I was to see him. [Laughs] I’m not a nasty journalist, so Castro trusted me completely. He accompanied me for 12 days everywhere. He even went to visit the brother he hadn’t seen for five years, because he was proud to show that he was with me. I’ve always had many interests in my life. And having talent, I could make a lot of photographs, and I could be in contact with poor people. [In 1999] I became an ambassador for the U.N.’s Food and Agriculture Organization.
You also ran for a seat in the European Parliament the same year.
That was, in a way, my desire not to do politics but to have some power to help the poor people. Because I know what it is to be hungry. I [lived through World War II], I lost my home. We have to help the people who need help. I’m glad I lost the election, because I’m not born to be a politician. Being an ambassador of FAO is better.
You have been called—and starred in a movie titled—the world’s most beautiful woman. What’s your definition of beauty?
For me, beauty is art. The beauty of a person is finished—you are young and then you are old. The real beauty is in your heart, in your soul. And that beauty is something that lasts forever.
So when you were called the world’s most beautiful woman…
Oh, I was embarrassed. I am very shy, and I felt okay when the attention wasn’t on me. I remember with Marilyn, it was exactly the opposite. When all the eyes of the men were on her, she felt secure. When they were looking at me, I didn’t feel comfortable. Of course, beauty when you are young and making movies is obviously a help. But afterward—my career has lasted more than 50 years; beauty is not enough, because it doesn’t last forever. Personality is more important.
Sophia Loren, who’s 71, is posing for the cover of the Pirelli calendar. Is that something you would ever consider doing?
No. [Laughs] We are quite different. I have different interests. My interest is art. I’m lucky that I have other talents.
Fanfan la Tulipe opens Friday 21 at Film Forum. Check out the review.