Emotional Return for Monica Guerritore at Bif&st 2025
During the highly anticipated Bif&st - Bari International Film&TV Festival, renowned actress and director Monica Guerritore embraced her emotional return to the Petruzzelli Theatre in Bari, marking the event with the awarding of the Bif&st Arte del Cinema prize.
On March 24, 2025, Guerritore captivated the audience during a masterclass led by Angela Prudenzi. Expressing her gratitude, she reflected on her longstanding connection with Bari and its audience. "This city has witnessed much of my artistic journey," she said, recalling past performances such as Giovanna d’Arco and Madame Bovary that she has presented in local theaters.
Honoring prominent figures in theatre, Guerritore paid tribute to great artists like Giorgio Strehler and Valentina Cortese, underlining the influence they had on her career. Central to her tribute was the legendary Anna Magnani, through whose life and struggles Guerritore's upcoming film is set to explore. After three years of dedicated work, she is finally ready to share this project, which she stated would explore the profound and turbulent life of Magnani, inspired by her Oscar-win night in 1956.
“For me, it’s incredible to think that there has never been a film about Anna Magnani, who deserves a narrative that truly reflects the depth of her experiences,” Guerritore explained. Her film intends to recount Magnani's poignant story, beginning with her winning the Academy Award for Best Actress for The Rose Tattoo, the first Oscar for a non-English speaking actress.
Describing Magnani's challenges, Guerritore shared, “She lost a son to polio while filming Rome, Open City. Despite this tragic event, many believe it was during this time that she fell in love with Roberto Rossellini. But how could a mother, mourning her child, even entertain the notion of love?” This film wouldn’t just be an homage but a deep dive into Magnani's complexities, revealing the layers behind her public persona.
Guerritore expressed a desire to illuminate how the very moment of winning an Oscar changed Magnani’s career trajectory for the worse, stating, “Her Oscar terrified others in the industry. Suddenly, directors sought newcomers who were less demanding and easier to work with.” As she studied Magnani's career, Guerritore observed a disturbing trend where established talents were pushed aside. “It was a discriminatory period where anyone truly dedicated to their craft was seen as burdensome,” she added.
In addition to the heartfelt exploration of Magnani's life, Guerritore engaged audiences with snippets from her current project, the Netflix series Inganno. The fourth episode was screened during the event, highlighting the series’ strong performance as one of the top 20 most-watched on Netflix globally. The show features Guerritore alongside Giacomo Gianniotti, displaying a raw and candid narrative about life, love, and the struggles women face at a mature age.
“The film Inganno addresses issues that resonate profoundly with women in their 50s and 60s. We often find ourselves in a void, transitioning from motherhood to expectations of being grandmothers,” Guerritore explained, framing how the series portrays these critical life stages.
Despite being initially conceived as a limited series, its success has sparked discussions of a second season. Guerritore emphasized her commitment to her film on Magnani but acknowledged the rich and resonant themes present in Inganno as well.
It was clear that throughout her career, Monica has not only influenced but also paved the way for future generations of artists, particularly women. Reflecting on the power and resilience of women at different life stages, she highlighted her own character in Inganno, who courageously navigates the complex landscape of identity and self-acceptance amidst societal pressures. The audience responded to her sincerity with heartfelt applause.
As Guerritore concluded, she stated, “Now it’s Anna’s turn, and then we shall see what happens with Gabriella,” signaling both hope and determination for the journeys she continues to craft in film and theater.
Guerritore’s dedication to telling stories that matter keeps her firmly at the forefront of Italian cinema, not only honoring the past but also creating pathways for the future.
