Giovanni Veronesi’s Latest Film: “Romeo and Juliet” Modern Take
The tragic love story of Romeo and Juliet takes center stage in Giovanni Veronesi’s latest film, “Romeo è Giulietta.” The comedy, set to release on February 14th, follows a theatrical director, Federico Lando Porrini, as he conducts rigorous auditions to find the perfect Romeo and Juliet for what he hopes will be the crowning achievement of his career. Among the candidates vying for the role of Juliet is Vittoria, who is initially rejected. Undeterred, Vittoria, with the help of her makeup artist friend, Geppi Cucciari, decides to audition under a false identity in a bold attempt to showcase her talent. Transforming into Otto Novembre, Vittoria lands the role of Romeo, setting the stage for a series of complications with her unsuspecting boyfriend, who is cast as Mercutio. The film not only celebrates love but also emphasizes inclusivity.
EXCLUSIVE VIDEO INTERVIEW WITH SERGIO CASTELLITTO, PILAR FOGLIATI, AND GIOVANNI VERONESI
SuperGuida TV had the opportunity to conduct an exclusive video interview with actors Sergio Castellitto and Pilar Fogliati, as well as director Giovanni Veronesi. For Fogliati, the film presented a unique challenge as she took on the role of a man: “It was interesting. Given the film’s focus on identity, we couldn’t overlook the most significant reversal, that of gender. Seeing Otto Novembre, I know that behind him lies Vittoria, a girl who fears failure and has been scarred by the past. I tried to be as credible as possible.”
Director Giovanni Veronesi drew inspiration from Shakespeare’s tragedy to portray today’s youth: “I often wonder how Shakespeare would have written this tragedy if he had lived in our time. If I had a time machine, I would use it to go back, bring Shakespeare here, show him how the world has changed, and then ask him who today’s Romeo and Juliet are.”
Sergio Castellitto, on the other hand, plays a highly critical and almost hateful director who enjoys mocking young actresses during auditions. However, these actresses lack both talent and substance as they attempt to break into the world of cinema – a reflection of the current landscape where influencers and TV personalities venture into acting without the necessary skills: “Today, it seems that followers and likes hold more value than talent. I believe that talent is invincible, like seeping water. Today, there is less attention to nurture this talent. Talent is a gift, but it doesn’t last a lifetime. Chekhov said, ‘Talent is work, it’s writing a page a day.’ I grew up with this mindset.”
When asked if she recalls any strange or embarrassing auditions in her career, Pilar Fogliati shared, “I still remember some theater auditions. In that context, even insults carried more weight, and I clung to them because at 19-20 years old, they helped me form an identity. Certainly, I was never someone who would tell off the director; I didn’t have the courage, but I restrained myself and then burst into tears.”
Giovanni Veronesi dedicated the film to Asia Argento, his close friend. He revealed the reason for this dedication, stating, “Asia is someone I am very close to; we have been friends for 30 years. We made a film together, and over the years, I have always defended her, even during the MeToo period. She appeared in the film in a small cameo without asking for anything in return, and I felt the need to thank her.”
In conclusion, “Romeo è Giulietta” promises to offer audiences a modern take on Shakespeare’s timeless classic, addressing contemporary themes and societal issues. With a talented cast and a thought-provoking storyline, the film is poised to captivate audiences and spark meaningful conversations about love, identity, and talent in today’s world.