“I said no to Brando and Delon. I should have told Patrick earlier that he was my son, not my brother »-Corriere.it

Claude Josephine Rose Cardinale, insumed Claudia CardinaleHe will be 85 in April. But an Italian woman it is like the sky of Lombardy: «So beautiful when it is beautiful, so splendid, so at peace». And she is Italian – even in Tunisia where she was born, even in Paris where she lives – she has always felt; as she is keen to reiterate to the readers of Courier.

Signora Claudia, what is your earliest memory?

“First ever? The arrival of the Americans in Tunis. For us it was the end of the war. I remember a soldier crying because he hadn’t seen his children for months … ».

What was the Tunisia of your childhood like?

“A golden age. A magical moment.”

Is it true that your first languages ​​were, in addition to French, Arabic and Sicilian?

«In short… I spoke very little Arabic, and Sicilian too. At home it was the language of adults: they used it so as not to make themselves understood».

What do you remember about the war?

“My mother who gave us a lump of sugar to make us overcome the fear”.

You have always chosen to remain Italian, even when you moved to France. Because?

«Because I feel Italian, even if of French culture. I also did it to honor my father; that he always wanted to remain Italian, even under the French protectorate.’

Do you feel like telling when she was raped and decided to keep the baby?

«I’ve already told about it in the books…».

Until the seventh month she remained on the set and hid her pregnancy. How did he live that period? How was your relationship with Franco Cristaldi born?

«They were very difficult months. Far from my homeland. Grappling with a culture and a language, the Italian one, that I didn’t understand well. Catapulted into the world of cinema, which was both a salvation and a great unknown. Cristaldi understood that I was pregnant when I went to ask to break the contract. My relationship with him strengthened in that moment. I became transparent.”

In the meantime, success arrived with Monicelli’s I soliti ignoti. How did it go?

“How did it go? Very good! (Claudia Cardinale bursts out laughing). It was a small role, but it was noticed: a small miracle. I was Carmelina Nicosia, sister of Ferribotte, the extremely jealous Sicilian who kept her hidden in her house … and to think that Tiberio Murgia was actually Sardinian. Having a small role in a big film was Cristaldi’s strategy; and he was right.”

Many in different eras called her the most beautiful woman in the world. Have you ever felt like that?

“No. Never. I’ve never felt truly beautiful.”

Because?

«Who knows… these are things that can’t really be explained. As a child, the “beauty” of the family was my sister Blanche, a blonde with blue eyes. Bella really was, and she always has been. I, so dark, perhaps seemed more obvious: in a Sicilian family, moreover in Tunisia…”.

Her son Patrick was presented as her brother, until she told the truth in an interview with Enzo Biagi. How did she find the courage?

“It was necessary. Courage comes when it is needed. It cannot be predicted.”

If he went back, would he do everything the same way again? Or would it change anything?

“I would definitely tell my son the truth first. So I didn’t have that courage».

What was it like working with Visconti?

“An enormous pleasure. A lesson not only in cinema, but also in life. Then we were friends; and that is priceless.”

Is it true that in the end, after the stroke, he directed the actors with a glance?

«Luchino has always had a very strong capacity for expression: his face gave so many indications. Then yes, it is true that after the stroke this talent of his was strengthened ».

And with Fellini?

“Very different. Fun. Stimulating. I felt free. In 8 and a half he was the first to make me do my own part…».

What do you mean?

“To act in my own voice. To accept my voice, do you understand? My jokes, my answers. It was a liberating act of great importance. A real gift that Fellini gave me».

E Sergio Leone?

“Well, Sergio was delightful. Fun, simple. Once Upon a Time in the West it was a wonderful experience.”

You acted with John Wayne. What kind was it?

“Very big! It was huge. Very reserved, but also a gentleman. He had his set chair, I didn’t. After all, I was a little girl… So one day John gave me one, with my name on it, which accompanied me on so many sets. It was such a sweet gesture towards me, who was little more than a child, while he was a giant!».

E Orson Welles?

“Impressive. On the set of Abel Gance… I was very small in the midst of divinities».

E Sean Connery?

“We had fun. He was very cold on the set of Red tentbut the atmosphere between us was very warm».

It is true that Mastroianni fell in love with her, but she rejected him? Because?

“He said so. I wonder if it’s true… We were friends, yes.”

What was it like working with Vittorio De Sica?

“Even there, I was very small. And Vittorio had a special presence».

Cristina Comencini told the Courier that his father Luigi «found Claudia Cardinale wonderful», but was too much in love with his wife… What do you remember?

“Splendid. I did with him Bube’s girlfriend, film just restored by Cinecittà. He was a very cultured and very simple man. We spoke in French, which he knew very well. Many years later we did too Historyfrom Morante’s novel, and it was wonderful to find it again».

There will be someone she didn’t get along with. Monica Vittithey say.
“In fact, working with her was not the best experience. Vitti was mesmerizing. Strong, intense; but she was less accustomed than I to sharing the scene with another woman. There was no animosity; but there was not even the beginning of a real friendship.’

It is true that even on the set of “Pistolere” relations with Brigitte Bardot were they difficult?

“No. Absolutely, in fact quite the opposite».

But if you fought all the time!

“I repeat: it is not true. The press wanted us enemies: BB against CC. But it wasn’t like that at all. Meanwhile she was my absolute “idol”. She is a few years older than me: so as a girl, even before making films, I saw her in films. I was so honored to work with her. There was no battle between us. So much so that for the premiere of the film we dressed as a couple, she as a man and I as a woman».

Do you still hear?

“We love each other very much. Brigitte is a great woman. We had a lot of fun.”

What is the difference between Italy and France? And between Italians and French?

«There are many, but I prefer to look at common things. We are both European and cousins ​​in history. Then there are different “Frances” as well as different “Italies”, and different historical moments. Marseille has something of Naples, like Paris reminds Turin. And Dante, our greatest poet, trained with the troubadours…».

How did François Mitterrand laugh?

“As a great statesman, who represented his country with dignity and consistency”.

It’s true what everyone in France whispers…

“What?”.

That Jacques Chirac fell head over heels for her.

“Hand! It’s not absolutely true. I had supported his electoral campaign, because at that moment he seemed to me the right president; and so the press made a whole story out of it. Just imagine: I said no to Brando, Delon and Marcello… Chirac must have been a “homme à femmes”; but not with me.”

Isn’t it true then that the President was at his home on the night in August 1997 that Lady Diana died?

“Don’t make me laugh. But no that’s not true! Just think, the photos that showed us “together” were collages. They had removed the face of my friend Jacques Moisant and put in that of Chirac. We realized this later, because Moisant had an eccentric taste for waistcoats. Chirac was very embarrassed by that voice. He also wrote me a letter, which I keep, in which he laughed about it too. But he also said he was flattered ».

So how do you think the rumor of your relationship was born?

“I do not know. Chirac had given me the Legion d’honneur; and I had defended his candidacy publicly. These two elements, added to his reputation as a “homme à femmes”, could be enough to give rise to rumors. But I assure you that it was only a rumor.’

You mention Delon and Brando: how did it go with them?

“Brando I met him only briefly. He was my idol. I was very impressed. Alain, on the other hand, is a friend. We met often, both in movies and in life. Together we shared the experience of the Leopard, and that bonded us forever».

Is it true that Tognazzi too made a ruthless court to her?

“I don’t remember, but it’s probable…”

What did the Hollywood years mean to you? Marilyn, Liz Taylor, Richard Burton…

“Well, America was like an amusement park to me. There were parties everywhere and you met absolute legends here and there. I had so much fun with them in America; but deep down I felt European. So I decided not to stay.”

How was your love with Pasquale Squitieri born?

“On the set of Guappi».

Why did you choose the name Claudia also for your daughter?

«He chose him, because he wanted to marry me, and I didn’t want to. So Claudia Squitieri, our daughter, bears the name I would have had if I had said yes».

Why didn’t she want to marry Squitieri?

“Because I wanted to be an independent woman. It will be a symbol; but in those days I cared. I should have accepted…”

How is the relationship with your daughter Claudia now?

“With my daughter? I have a very beautiful relationship. For some years, in addition to her personal activities, she has followed my chores. Together we have decided to create a Foundation that can be a generational bridge. She’ll be the one to direct it.”

What does your Foundation do?

«My battles for women’s rights and for the defense of the environment will continue. Two themes that I have been pursuing for some time with Unesco and with GreenCross».

Your daughter has just edited a book about her career, entitled “Claudia Cardinale the Indomitable.” Do you like that word, indomitable?

“I am very moved by this tribute. From the work of Cinecittà and Electa, and certainly also of Claudia. The word indomitable is fine with me. Somehow independence and indomitability are qualities that I have tried to convey to her. Even her father Pasquale liked this word ».

How did you feel about the news of Gina Lollobrigida’s disappearance? How do you remember her?

“Gina’s passing is a great sadness for me. She was a woman so full of energy and interest, that she didn’t seem like she could shut down … I share Sophia’s words, she will remain burning in our hearts and in the memory of cinema ».

Do you believe in God?

“Yup. In my own way, yes.”

Does death scare you?

“No. Or rather, I don’t think about it.”

How do you imagine the afterlife?

“We’ll see!”.

And the future of Italy? What would you recommend to a young compatriot of yours?

“These are uncertain times for all of us. The world changes, and often his new language seems incomprehensible to me. But maybe that’s how it should be. To young people, especially girls, I give only one piece of advice: protect your dignity. Always, at all times, in all circumstances.”