On February 27, 2025, Italian actress, director, and screenwriter Valeria Bruni Tedeschi graced the set of Rai 3's popular talk show, Splendida Cornice, hosted by Geppi Cucciari. Bruni Tedeschi, along with fellow guests Guido Caprino and director Valeria Golino, sat down with Cucciari to discuss her illustrious career and share glimpses of her personal life.
Bruni Tedeschi, now 60, has established herself as one of the most recognizable figures of contemporary Italian cinema. She is the sister of Carla Bruni, the former First Lady of France, and experienced significant life changes at a young age after moving to Paris at nine due to fears of kidnap by the Red Brigades, underscoring the complex backdrop of her childhood.
Reflecting on her life and experiences, Bruni Tedeschi shared her latest perspective during recent interviews. "With age, I'm beginning to feel a bit more joyful than before; until I was 50, I continued to feel great pain. Now, as the years go by, I savor the taste of freedom much more, and it's a beautiful sensation," she expressed. Despite her success and acclaim, which includes four prestigious David di Donatello awards, she struggles with self-acceptance. "Looking at myself in the mirror, I don’t like it at all; I try to avoid it. I don't feel old; I feel much freer than I did ten years ago. I always try to accept myself as I am, but it's difficult, as often I don't feel happy about what I'm doing, the people around me, or the things I lack," she admitted.
Bruni Tedeschi's background adds depth to her artistic voice. She has previously described her family dynamics as "non-conventional," having discovered late about her different biological father from her sister. "My sister and I didn’t know; everything was very hidden. It was not visible to see the lovers coming. It seemed everything was normal. We learned later, and for me, it was shocking. I found out on my 30th birthday. I told him, 'I don't care about it.' I learned before my sister did," she remarked, hinting at the complicated web of relationships within her familial environment.
Her candidness extends to her artistic endeavors, as she has acknowledged the impact of her work on her family, particularly concerning themes derived from their collective past. During her appearance on Belve, journalist Francesca Fagnani confronted Bruni Tedeschi with the reactions of her sister, Carla, who previously expressed discontent over films inspired by their lives. "I have hurt some people by making my films, and this is something I truly regret deeply. My brother is no longer here, but I feel... not guilty, but I feel sorry. I know to do my job, I need reality, and then I need to be able to shape it as I want. Otherwise, I can’t do my job," she explained, showcasing her struggle between artistic freedom and familial loyalty.
Bruni Tedeschi admitted to sometimes being aware of the potential pain her stories could inflict on her loved ones but chose to push through for the necessity of her art. "Sometimes yes, and I did it anyway. I imagined they might recognize themselves, and still, for the sake of one scene, I overcame the grief of others. This is part of our work," she stated, capturing the essence of the artist’s conflict.
During her candid discussion with Fagnani, the conversation turned to Bruni Tedeschi's past relationship with drugs. "I tried just about everything. I smoked, tried cocaine, heroin, tried MDMA. When I was young, I experimented but didn’t continue," she recounted. When prompted about her experience with heroin, she reflected frankly, "I found it incredible, wonderful. And I decided never to try it again." Bruni Tedeschi also revealed the tragic side of her story, sharing how she lost her boyfriend to heroin addiction. "I had the experience of dating someone who was addicted, and he died from it. I once tried it, and I understood," she divulged, shedding light on the raw realities behind the glamour of the cinematic world she inhabits.
Her appearance on Splendida Cornice not only highlights Valeria Bruni Tedeschi's artistic achievements but also unveils the multiple layers of her personality—an artist influenced by her past, grappling with her self-image and relationships. At the age of 60, she continues to redefine her voice, growing wiser and more liberated through each passing year.
Through these revelations, Bruni Tedeschi invites viewers to connect with her not just as a prominent figure on screen, but as someone who has navigated the tumultuous waters of life, family, and self-discovery. With her stories steeped in personal experiences, she remains committed to telling them authentically, regardless of the emotional toll it may bring to those around her.