Paola Cortellesi and Lucia Ocone

On the second night of Aruba International Film Festival (AIFF) 2011, it was Italian Night on the red carpet and the actresses from the Italian comedy hit NESSUNO MI PUO GIUDICARE (2011) were there to present their film. I asked the radiant actress Paola Cortellesi some questions on the carpet.

ME: Is your film a comedy? And how do you feel about Italy now with a public that mostly wants just to see comedies?

PAOLA: Yes. Well, this year in particular was a very lucky year for the comedies. But I think we do a good job. Not in particularly us but all the films this year were beautiful films. It doesn’t matter if I’m talking about comedy. It’s hard anyway because in Italy we are the only ones who talk in Italian. It’s hard because we are small and we speak Italian in the film and in this film we use Roman dialect. There are so many different dialects even in the city of Rome so hopefully this can reach outside of Rome.

ME: What do you feel about more and more Italian film being filmed in English? I know some are already making this transition.

PAOLA: Well, we hope so. We want to make more international movies.

ME: Okay, thank you. So, good luck with the film and see you inside.

Rollo Ross continued with some questions beside me on the RC.

ROLLO: So, can you tell us the title”

PAOLA: ‘Nessuno Mi Puo Giudicare.’ This means, ‘no one can judge me’. It’s a story of compromise, friendship, and a little piece of Italy.

ROLLO: (cackles in his own unique way. LOL.) A little more than pizza or pasta?

PAOLA: (laughs) Yes, a little more than pizza or pasta.

ROLLO: So, is your movie a comedy? And was it a funny experience to make the movie?

PAULA: It is a comedy, yes. Yes, it was a very funny experience to make this film. Lucia Ocone, who has a funny special role in this movie, we are friends. We used to work together since we were so young and with the director too, Massimiliano Bruno. So, it was very exciting because we have all stayed together in this.

ROLLO: Well, have a lovely and beautiful and exciting night. Thank you.

PAOLA: Thank you!

STAY TUNED FOR A ONE-ON-ONE INTERVIEW with both actresses coming up.

RC interview transcribed by Vanessa McMahon

photos by Vanessa McMahon