“Without love, there is no life; love is the basis of everything.”
Monica Bellucci is known for her roles in the Matrix trilogy as well as The Passion of the Christ, and more recently, she shot to fame as she was cast alongside Daniel Craig as the new Bond girl. She started her career off with Italian films and as a fashion model but is now a renowned Hollywood actress. She is set to star in her new film, On The Milky Road and here, she talks about her role, working with director Emir Kusturica plus a whole lot more.
What did you like about the story of your new film, On The Milky Road?
Monica Bellucci: Even though we are in a film about war, it’s a film about love. And it’s [director] Emir Kusturica’s signature to combine fantasy and reality. Even though we are in the Balkan war, for me it’s not a political movie. The approach is human, not political, because we see two adult people that have been through so many hardships in life and they still believe in love. What is beautiful about the movie for me is that love and sensuality are not a matter of age but of energy. That’s why there is a concept of joy and hope in the middle of the war. And it is beautiful that Kusturica comes back with a film about beauty and love.
You said your personal energy has also become stronger…
MB: Not because of me. The role is very powerful and it is written in a way that the ‘femininity’ is very strong. This woman is very strong and paternal, she is very sweet, but also ready to give her life for love and she is ready to kill.
Could that be a description of yourself?
MB: I would love to be such a heroine. I would love to be so courageous. It’s great to work with directors who have such an aura and at the same time Emir is also such an eclectic artist. He is not just a director – he is an actor, a musician, a businessman and a writer too. Sometimes it is not very easy to follow him, but he is never boring, which is great for an actress. His energy is so strong. He is the first one to jump into the cold water in a scene, and you have to do the same. He is ready to do so much for his movie, and the process of creation is so much suffering. He only shoots what is important for him.
In a scene, you are milking a cow – have you ever had such experience with animals?
MB: I never touched a cow in my life, even though I come from a small city in Italy. So I learned to get in touch with animals. But I love animals. To deal with animals is not a big deal.
Is there anything you would refuse to do?
MB: Yeah. Sometimes he wanted me to jump from places and I said, forget it. This is not possible. I really love my life. At the same time when you make movies and you work with someone who has such an aura, sometimes you have to develop the courage to do things that you don’t do in real life. Sometimes actors who stay too far away from the set miss out on stuff. On a set, there is a special energy.
“We see two adult people that have been through so many hardships in life and they still believe in love.”
The film has so much imagination…
MB: Yes, but that is the meaning of life.
“Without fantasy, there is no future. It means you lose the childish part of yourself. And this childish part has to be there all the time.”
Even when you grow up and get older. This is what gives you the strength to keep on going.
Is this the joy of being an actor?
MB: Yes, because you get to play. And you play like kids do. But kids play better than us. That is why we have to stay humble, because it’s the only work that also a kid can do very well, even better than you. That’s why you are really humble when you are an actor. You do nothing special.
Do you have any memories of the Balkan war?
MB: The Balkan war is a very, very difficult moment of history. But it is so difficult to make a judgment from outside. Because this land, they had so many ethnic cultures, and for us it is so difficult to see clear. All I can say is that for three years I have been in a land of beauty and suffering. And like I said before, I approached this movie in an artistic way, not a political way.
What is the most important lesson about love that you learned in your life in the last couple of years?
MB: Without love there is no life; love is the basis of everything.
And love can always be found, even when it is lost?
MB: I believe in love. What can happen, sometimes when you grow up, you don’t believe in love anymore because sometimes life jumps on you. But love is‚ le moteur de la vie. It’s about love between two people, love for children, love for work. Love is the base of life. If you want to ask me, if I still believe in love – yes.
Have you ever lost your belief in love?
MB: Never. I have two kids. When you have kids, and even when we are in a difficult moment, I still believe in humanity.
Would you want to get married again?
MB: Silence. Silence about that.
Recently you had your beauty celebrated by a photo shoot in Paris Match. What is the fun of doing such shoots?
MB: I come from the world of pictures. So this is my background. Even when I was very young, I used to buy books of Bruce Webber etc. So I have been working with great photographers all my life. And I believe pictures give emotions exactly like films. Like when you read a great book. And pictures are a form of art. When a picture is beautiful – I believe in beauty. Because without beauty life is so sad.
Do you think you are beautiful?
MB: Yes. Not because I am beautiful, but because
“Getting older for a woman can be beautiful. It is not the beauty of the body anymore but the beauty of the soul. And I believe women can be beautiful at every age. The more you have time in your face, the more your soul becomes interesting.”
There is another beauty that comes with age, if you accept it. If you fight with it – of course. But if you accept it, this film, to have wrinkles does not mean you are not beautiful. It’s very interesting to approach female beauty that way. Women sometimes feel guilty because they get older. But there is nothing to feel guilty about. Life goes on.
Where are you based now?
MB: Paris. I live here and I am always in contact with Rome and London.
Is that the city that you love the most?
MB: I have lived in so many places, but Paris and Rome are my base – but for now. I am a very challenging person because I am ready to do new things. I don’t know what is going to happen next.
And are we not afraid after the terror attacks?
MB: In Paris, people are very strong. And they know how to fight. Even though so many bad things happen, they go outside, they go to restaurants, bars. Life did not stop. This is a beautiful attitude of French people.
And you like going from European films to American films…
MB: I know I am very lucky. It is so beautiful to have the chance to work with different directors and cultures. But I have two kids, so when I have to work a lot, I also take time off, because I don’t want to lose important moments. When they grow up, they’ll be gone.
Which of your movies have they seen?
MB: Just one. Asterix and Cleopatra. I can show them Irreversible too! [Laughs]
How many languages do you speak – how many have you acted in?
MB: French, English, Italian, Iranian, Serbian and Aramaic.
INTERVIEW: LEX MARTIN/THE INTERVIEW FEED
PHOTOGRAPHS: GETTY
