The actor returning from Cannes tells FqMagazine about his experience on the set of “Maria”
Giuseppe Maggioone of the most appreciated faces of new Italian cinema, is back from Cannes Film Festival where he presented with Matt Dillon and Anamaria Vartolomei the film “Mary“, directed by Jessica Palud which reconstructs the parable of Maria Schneider after “Last Tango in Paris”. Giuseppe Maggio plays the Oscar-winning director, Bernardo Bertolucci. The actor is currently busy filming the new Netflix series: “Mrs. Playmen” with Carolina Crescentini and Filippo Nigro, the story of the iconic erotic magazine born in Italy in the 1960s, where he plays a photographer. We met the actor in the center of Milan before he returned to the Netflix set to continue filming.
“I feel guilty for what I did, but I would do it again.” Thus Bertolucci on the famous violent scene of “Last Man in Paris”. What inspired you to play him?
My reflection arises from the need I had to understand the Bertolucci character and to understand him I studied his background, his life, his family and the context in which he was born, lived and raised.
And what did you understand?
When the film was made it was a time of great change post ’68. The paradoxical thing is that when it was released at the cinema, the sodomy scene caused more scandal than the violence that was done on Schneider’s body. I believe it was the result of a patriarchal and chauvinist society. It seems clear to me that, looking at it with today’s eyes, what happened was very serious and is unquestionable. But what happened then is a product of that time. Fortunately, over the years there have been evolutions in all fields.
What was the aspect you worked on the most to make Bertolucci best?
Definitely the ego. I also dreamed I had a brick over my sternum and my sister told me it was the ego. In my opinion, it was an aspect of the director’s personality that deserved to be explored further. So with that brick and that boulder on my chest, I carried forward Bertolucci’s interpretation.
Are you also driven by ego?
I have learned to recognize it and I immediately notice when a response to my attitude is dictated by the ego… Which isn’t necessarily always a negative thing (laughs, ed.).
Did you discover new sides of yourself while studying roles?
Yes. There are important roles that have allowed me to change, even as a man, such as being able to address certain issues and work on the nuances of my character. A complex job that then leads you to deal with sides of yourself that you had never imagined.
What is the feature you discovered, for example, that you didn’t think you had?
The determination and I owe this to Bertolucci’s role.
You had to gain weight for script reasons, how did you experience the transformation of your body?
It was like having eyes on you. A bit like when it happened to me as a kid, when suddenly and by chance the success of the first film I took part in (“Amore 14” by Federico Moccia, ed.) exploded. I wasn’t ready or structured to handle all that.
What were the consequences?
I developed certainties and armor that are only apparent and that I had to use to withstand the blow, also because I was a little scared. And then I had lost the ‘invisibility’ I had before the cinema boom.
How did you get out of the bubble of insecurity?
When I realized that I had to look elsewhere for safety, when you understand that you no longer need those masks you wore before and fed on.
What were you hiding behind?
Behind an apparent harshness. Then those who met me were amazed.
Why?
They told me ‘you’re nice, you’re cute, I didn’t think so’. I think I was harsh on the outside also to avoid confrontation, at the beginning I wasn’t good as an actor. Today I review that attitude with gentleness.
What did you blame yourself for?
Perhaps the fact of not being ready in 2009 to have been catapulted into that world without ever having studied. Above all, I expected impossible things from myself, when I didn’t have the means and knowledge. Then over time I studied, I tried to improve…
What kind of kid were you?
I have never been extroverted or at least I was with my selected friends. But I didn’t make friends with everyone. I’ve never had a group of friends. I prefer two-way relationships.
How come?
In my experience, the bond created between two friends is much stronger and more lasting. It almost creates a brotherly relationship.
Did your living in an exclusive relationship pay off in your professional and personal life?
No, because I’ve always behaved like this. I don’t go to parties, to social occasions to make friends with the people who participate, to shake a thousand hands and be kind and helpful to everyone. I’m not good at this and I don’t frequent showbiz. Of course, I go where and when needed obviously. I prefer to stay at home with my friends and the people I love and where I know I don’t have to wear masks.
Are you a stranger to what Giuliana De Sio defines as “the Roman club”?
But not frequenting those environments, I couldn’t tell you if it really exists. I preferred to study Spanish and French, so as to be able to make films outside Italy. I spent my time differently. However, I believe that the cinema system has changed.
In what sense?
That you can’t go wrong with platforms. There is feedback, black and white and perceived feedback. Maybe there is more meritocracy.
What do you focus on when choosing a film?
What that story wants to communicate about. I choose a film that creates debate.
Have you thought about what story you have left to face that you would like to tell?
I know it’s very ‘American’ in terms of vision, but the stories of athletes fascinate me a lot. Men and women who dedicate their lives entirely to sport with dedication and a great spirit of sacrifice. I met several of them when I played football, many guys who played for Roma and Lazio. For them there was no “normal” life made up of cigarettes, disco evenings… Then it happens that you get injured and your whole world collapses.
What happens to them?
They find themselves starting from scratch and doing other jobs. This psychological journey that I would like to face fascinates me a lot.
Today you live in Rome but you have frequented Paris a lot, to which you dedicated the novel “Remember me”. What struck you about that city?
It’s a city that somehow takes your breath away because of how wonderful it is. When you stop on one of the bridges you have the feeling of grandeur and immensity.
(Photo Credits Alan Gelati)
