«My voice to women against the ‘Ndrangheta»- Corriere.it

Paradoxically, what on paper seemed to be the biggest obstacle – the Calabrian from Rosarno – for Valentina Bellè, true Veronese, born in 1992, turned out to be a strong point. Which helped her to step into the role of Giuseppina Pesce for the TV series The good motherswhich pays homage to women who opposed the ‘Ndrangheta, for which tonight in Naples she will receive the Silver Ribbon for best supporting actress.

How did that accent help her?

“It’s a powerful, dry language. She helped me enter a new place for me, Locride. I knew Lea Garofalo thanks to Giordana’s splendid film with Vanessa Scalera. I didn’t know anything about Giuseppina, there is also little material, unlike Maria Concetta Cacciolla who was very useful to me. Especially the interceptions between her and her mother when she entered the protection system, helped me understand what the manipulative dynamics of the families were. I also listened to several lectures by Gratteri to get more information about that world».

Mafia and Camorra are told a lot by cinema and TV, not the ‘Ndrangheta. What idea did you get?

«It is more impenetrable and discreet, less flashy, despite being one of the most powerful criminal organizations in the world. This being so elusive is its strength. The series, directed by Julian Jarrold and Elisa Amoruso, not at all spectacular, and very concentrated on the excavation, I think you tell it well. In addition to paying homage to women who have found a way to ».

Fourth of six children, none in the family in show business. What drove her?

«I was not encouraged but supported yes. I discovered acting in a laboratory at school, I understood that it was the right place for me, the only one where I was comfortable».

He also studied in New York. What did that experience leave you?

“In those months, a world opened up to me. Coming from a small middle-class Italian town, with a happy, sheltered childhood, there I discovered a wider, even suffering, humanity. A baptism of openness and curiosity».

In less than ten years of career he has crossed paths with the greats, from the Taviani brothers to Dustin Hoffman.
“Many beautiful encounters, a great fortune. More than advice from Dustin, I received an example: a passion for the craft that was still alive, despite an extraordinary and very long career, a boundless love, remained on the set even when he wasn’t shooting, available to everyone».

In recent years he has also shot popular dramas such as “Sirene” and “I wanted to be a rock star”. What memories does she have?

«Lightness is a beautiful school. Being able to wander is a fortune. Lately I’ve been doing more dramatic roles but also sophisticated comedy like Six brothers by Simone Godano. A comedy should be done every two years. It’s good for the heart”

It has a lot of irons in the fire: «Ferrari» by Micheal Mann with Adam Driver and Pénelope Cruz.

«Mine is a small part, that of the woman who was a sort of sidekick for Enzo Ferrari, inspired by Fiamma Breschi (but in the film she is called Cecilia Manzini), a character in the shadows but very important in her life. I wished it would never end, Mann is incredible, tireless, far from eighty years old, he could go on for hours, one evening we had to finish at 10 and at 4 in the morning Adam was destroyed, the next day he had to go to Venice for his film. I wish I had his vitality.’

We will see her in «Lubo» by Giorgio Rights with Franz Rogowski.

«Giorgio is a unique director, free from any rules, very independent. Franz? For me one of the most extraordinary actors in the world».

And now he is on the set of the new film by Marco Tullio Giordana, “Life next door”.

“It’s a dream come true, his sensitivity is unique.”

A director you hope to work with?

«Uberto Pasolini, Nowhere special it hit me in the heart. He is Italian but lives and works in England, he is at the top of my wishes. I found out that now he’s making a film with Italian actors including Claudio Santamaria, so I’m applying for one of the next ones. I need poetry.”