Guerritore Recounts Magnani in Directorial Debut at Rome Film Festival
Rome: Actress Monica Guerritore makes her directorial debut with the film “Anna,” presented at the 20th Rome Film Festival, exploring what she describes as a “powerful story” about Italian screen icon Anna Magnani. The film opens on the night of March 21, 1956, when Magnani, affectionately known as Nannarella, became the first non-native English-speaking woman to win an Oscar for her role in “The Rose Tattoo,” a piece written specifically for her by Tennessee Williams.
According to Ansa News Agency, the film depicts Magnani waiting through the night in the alleys and squares of Rome, accompanied by her beloved cats and the people who admire her. By her side is a young woman named Carol Levi, who will eventually become her agent. The film, which premiered in the Grand Public section at the Rome Film Festival and is set to hit theaters on November 6th through Notorious Pictures, is primarily set within the confines of Magnani’s home, showcasing her tempestuous yet generous nature. It also delves into her life at Cinecitt , her struggles with her sick son, and her fraught relationship with Roberto Rossellini, portrayed as a significant emotional burden.
The film marks the bold directorial debut of 67-year-old Rome-born Guerritore, who also wrote the screenplay and stars as Magnani. Tommaso Ragno plays Roberto Rossellini, while Lucia Mascino takes on the role of Carol Levi. Guerritore reflects on her inspiration for the film, stating, “Why this film? Because we think we know everything about her, at least her professional side…but we really know nothing about the life that flows beneath her river.”
Guerritore’s personal connection to Magnani’s legacy is evident as she recalls an image of Magnani she encountered in 1973 in Carol Levi’s office shortly after the actress’s death. This memory profoundly impacted Guerritore, guiding her throughout her career. She explains, “She was also a woman who was probably close to my way of being and thinking, and in that path of hers I nestled and found my inspiration.”
The film, produced by LuminaMGR, Masi Film, and Mediaflow in collaboration with Rai Cinema and Dea Film, features a diverse cast including Roberto De Francesco as Ferruccio Ferrara, Beatrice Grann² as a young Carol Levi, Edoardo Purgatori as adult Luca Magnani, and many others portraying significant figures from Magnani’s life. In her director’s notes, Guerritore emphasizes her intent to create a film that resonates emotionally rather than relying on grandiose effects, stating, “By following in her footsteps and breathing her heart, I’m making the audience share in the battles she fought and that we still fight.”