Ornella Muti opens up in Monza: "I'm not just the one in the Celentano films."

A golden wedding anniversary with an intense and passionate career, revelations about the past with the appropriate detachment of someone who has experienced and overcome perdition, joy, love, and sorrow. And an autobiography recently published by " La nave di Teseo" that transcends the secrecy with which she has always protected her private life, laying bare flirtations (from Montezemolo to Celentano), loves (two marriages), stumbles (her encounter with LSD), and great joys such as children (her first, courageously raised by a single mother), grandchildren, and a life in the country surrounded by animals. Ornella Muti, celebrated yesterday at the Monza Film Festival, continues to reign supreme. Without stopping work—she is currently filming a German film—and treating her fans—a provocative and often mysterious symbol of Italian cinema—to the story of her life, with grace and an anti-diva.

The book "This is not Ornella Muti": why this moment of truth?

“I'm Ornella, but I'm also very different. When you have a public image, people form a certain opinion of you. I don't have a huge following on Instagram, but those who do really love me. So I talked to my family and said, ‘Why not?’ Share who you are inside, with great kindness and respect, because when you talk about yourself, you also talk about others, and that's what stopped me for a while. I wanted to share who I am.”

So who is Ornella Muti?

"I've shared my soul, my most intimate side. Despite my varied career, people always stop at Celentano's films. I've truly done anything in my career. I've done theater, I've sung, I even did an operetta in Russian. As an artist, I'm generous; I've done many things. I liked the idea of ​​not just talking about Celentano."

You've worked with so many directors and actors. Who did you get along with best? Who would you never work with again?

From Ferreri to Monicelli, from Scola to Verdone and Nuti, I've gotten along well with almost everyone, also because I'm very open to work. I've had so many wonderful directors. There's no one I wouldn't work with again. I loved Ugo Tognazzi so much (with whom she filmed "Romanzo popolare," directed by Mario Monicelli, and "Primo amore," directed by Dino Risi, ed. ): he will always remain a jewel set among my jewels. I would do it all again with Ferreri, Monicelli, and Scola with my eyes closed. And in my career, I've done almost everything by choosing him.

How did it start?

My sister (Claudia Rivelli, ed .) and I lost our father at a young age. I started making photo stories and some small commercials with her when I was 13. Then I accompanied her to an audition for the part of Franca Viola, the girl who had the courage to refuse a shotgun wedding, and the director Damiano Damiani chose me for the film "The Most Beautiful Wife." Not because I was better than my sister, but because of my age. I was the same age as Franca Viola. It started like that, without even thinking about it too much, and suddenly I found myself an actress.

What is he doing now?

"I'm shooting a German film. I play a woman who meets a man she was in love with who left her for another woman."

A woman always in the spotlight who loves living in the countryside, far from the star system. Going against the grain.

"I've always loved living a bit outside. Even with my husband and children, we've always lived close to the city. For me, nature is essential because it gives you peace and serenity. I need a recharger, and that recharger is nature."

Have you ever been to Monza? Would you shoot a film there?

"I've been to Monza many times, especially when we lived in Milan. A film here, why not?"

In recent days, the tragedy of violence against women has exploded once again behind the scenes of the glittering world of fashion. What is your message for the many young women whose lives are at risk?

"Women are generous. We women create life and bring it to earth. Unfortunately, we often get stuck. We need to learn to love ourselves more: depending on love is beautiful, but if you fall into the hands of the wrong person, it's a disaster. You need to ask for help... talk, turn to a friend, a sister, a professional. And then be more selfish, focus on yourself and think about yourself: always turn down the last appointment, to protect yourself."