Cinema's Girl: the interview with actress Rebecca Antonaci
Rebecca Antonaci stood out at the 80th Venice International Film Festival with the role of Mimosa. The protagonist of Saverio Costanzo's film talks about "Finamente l'Alba", released on February 14, 2024.
Interview by SIMONE VERTUA
Photography NICOLA DEROSA
Styling Sarah grittini
«After “Finamente l'Alba” I grew from an acting point of view, I learned to pay attention to details, and I understood the dedication one should feel for one's work», says the nineteen-year-old actress originally from Viterbo. Already at the age of ten Rebecca Antonaci was attracted by the idea of stepping into the shoes of a character to tell a story; she began acting at the Antigone Theater and at the Sistina and then moved on to the cinema with Vincenzo Alfieri's short film "The dark side" which she remembers as a strong experience in which he played the victim of a killer. Then we saw her in "Don Matteo 13", in "Lea, a new day" and recently she was the co-star of the series "Luce dei Tui Occhi" by Fabrizio Costa on Mediaset. Actress Rebecca Antonaci dreams of trying her hand at a role that can combine her passion for music - she plays the saxophone and piano - singing and acting and among the genres she appreciates most are pulp cinema and science fiction. She is struggling with the study of the Stanislavskij method: "but for now I rely on technique and instinct".
L'OFFICIEL: What was it like working with Saverio Costanzo?
REBECCA ANTONACI: A revelation, Saverio manages to communicate his vision of the film in such an effective way that there were never any misunderstandings during filming. I really appreciate his vision of the female world which he tells with a delicacy and innocence that men don't usually have. I had already worked with him: he had noticed me in the past for a commercial and contacted me for auditions because he wanted me to be the protagonist of this film. I did about ten auditions in six months and finally got the role.
LOI: The film focuses on the redemption of the character of Mimosa who is inspired by Giulietta Masina. In your opinion, how are female roles represented today?
RA: Women's roles are often stereotyped and it is difficult to find projects where female characters are innovative. In Italy, screenwriters have more fun writing male roles, constructing absurd and challenging scenes. I hope this trend will be defused one day. I perceive that there is a constant need to flaunt feminist ideology and the beauty of the fragile, emotional and sensitive woman has been somewhat lost. You are afraid of being criticized if you represent this type of woman.
LOI: In your life, are there any points in common with Mimosa?
RA: Actually not much, the film tells of a nocturnal journey of a girl who will soon transform into a woman set in the Cinecittà of the 1950s, and belonging to two different eras, it changes a person's character and attitude a lot. She is a naive, innocent girl dominated by her parents who force her to get married, I feel free, I do the job I want even though I am only 19 years old. We are united by sincerity: it is difficult for me to wear masks to defend myself from people, I remain like her, always true to myself.
LOI : On set you worked with Lily James, Joe Keery, Alba Rohrwacher and Willem Dafoe. What relationship did you have with them?
RA: I still feel some of them, a special relationship was established and on set they sometimes helped me in the most difficult scenes. When you get along well with people, the scenes come naturally, I clearly remember a scene I had to play with Lily and it created such an intensity that I felt like Mimosa for the whole day.
LOI: Who are the directors you would like to work with?
RA: Quentin Tarantino, Sofia Coppola and Edgar Wright.
LOI: What fascinates you about fashion?
RA: I like to be comfortable: jeans, t-shirt, sweatshirt and I'm fine, but I recognize that fashion is an art form. For the 2023 Venice Film Festival I was dressed by Armani , and although they were clothes far from those I usually wear, I can say that they reflected my personality.
"For the Venice Film Festival I was dressed by Armani and the clothes reflected my personality." Rebecca Antonaci
LOI: What would you recommend to those who want to undertake your work?
RA: I feel a little disillusioned, so my advice is to think with your own head, because it's not difficult to find yourself in a context full of falsehoods. It's a job that gives you a lot, but takes just as much away from you, which is why it's essential to have a rich life even outside the set and surround yourself with beautiful people who support you. When you finish a set and go home it's heavy. I went back to school in Viterbo and it was a blast. I have undergone a journey of therapy and growth and now I can say that I have learned to appreciate even the little things.
HAIR AND MAKE UP: Carla Oppes using COTRIL SPA.