The latest transformation of Nino Frassicathe indefatigable. In “Seduce & escape”, the new TV film of the series Purché ends well broadcast on 2 January in prime time on Rai1 directed by Fabrizio Costa, the actor plays a former theatrical actor who lives isolated among stage memorabilia and memories in a small village overlooking the sea of Calabria: he is Uncle Calogeroan eccentric and grumpy guy, unable to tolerate intrusions into his world and the presence of others. But everything changes with the arrival of a niece who is fleeing with her little girl from a former crook and looking for a better life even at the cost of resorting to daring gimmicks.
The two will teach the grumpy relative the joy of family affection and sharing (the cast also includes Mariana Lancellotti, Francesco Arca, Elena Sophia Senise). Frassica is an eclectic actor, always straddling surreal comedy, the thing that made him unique, and realistic interpretations. Like Marshal Cecchini in Don Matteo (the 15th season will be broadcast on January 8 on Rai1 while the last episodes are still being worked on in Spoleto) or the father of the mafia martyr Livatino in Michele Placido’s upcoming film The Judge and His Assassins. And he can’t sit idle. While he is writing a new book, right on the set in Spoleto he created a comic strip: Behind the scenes of Don Matteo’s behind the scenes which will be on RaiPlay at the same time as the popular fiction.
Meanwhile, what drove you to play “Seduce and Run”?
«In addition to the desire to return to work with the Pepito production and with director Costa, I liked the idea that this TV film was an alternative to long series. Playing the character of Uncle Calogero, then, was a wedding invitation.”
Why?
«It gave me the opportunity to change. He is a former actor who uses his profession for good, at first he is grumpy but then he becomes fond of his granddaughter. There really are guys like that and I love playing real characters that you can meet in life.”
Like the Marshal in “Don Matteo”?
«Yes, after so many years he still hasn’t tired me because he combines his investigations with his daily life full of humanity. In the new season Cecchini will face the trauma of having to retire to be replaced by a new marshal.”
How did the idea for the behind-the-scenes strip come about?
«On the sets there is a lot of downtime. Those who fill it by talking on their cell phones, those who draw like I used to do, those who crochet… of the 10 hours of our daily work, 97 percent is waiting. So I called together a mini-crew, just a director and a sound engineer, and I had fun wandering around backstage: the result is a comedy strip full of sketches and gimmicks, during the editing we were spoiled for choice.”
Do you intend to use the format for other programs as well?
«I launch the idea, hoping that it bears fruit. And I think it would be right to broadcast the strip just created on Rai1 after Don Matteo, perhaps with the title After Don: it is self-deprecating content based on fiction and lasts only a few minutes. Let’s take them away from Bruno Vespa who has too many… it’s a low-cost idea that would bring a healthy change to the schedules.”
Does Rai need ideas?
«Of course, I feel a great need for renewal. There are many young people who go to the company to propose their projects. Which, however, in my opinion, is not very inclined to welcome new things.”
Because of who?
«I don’t want to accuse anyone in particular, but the system. What is Rai? A palace, an elusive entity? You never know who to talk to, who to refer to. My dream for 2026 is to have a more streamlined dialogue with public television.”
Speaking of innovators, have you read Andrea Scarpa’s book-interview “Make yourself comfortable” about its discoverer Renzo Arbore?
«Yes, and Renzo says it very well: I found all his spirit in it from the time of Those of the Night until today».
Apart from films and fiction, what else are you doing?
«I’m writing the new novel which will be called Ada and Amedeo. I have to deliver it in September and I hope to make it, I have forced myself to write a book a year.”
But don’t you get tired of having so many commitments?
“No. I’m 75 years old, but I do the things that I enjoy most.”
But a free moment, ever?
«And what should I do about it? I don’t like traveling and I don’t like anything other than my job which is so varied and takes me down ever-changing paths. How do I get tired?. If you want to know everything, I would work even harder.”
Really?
“Certain. But unfortunately I don’t have time.”
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© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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